Possible beluga spotted off Espoo’s Suvisaaristo

A possible lone beluga whale was seen off the Suvisaaristo archipelago in Espoo on Tuesday, Yle reported. It may be the same whale spotted near Porvoo a month ago.

Henri Lipponen told Yle that his family saw the white whale several times while boating near Stora Herrö island. The closest sighting was about 50 to 100 metres from shore. They saw up to about two metres of its back above the water and, on a few occasions, a clear spout.

Marine biologist Markus Dernjatin, who reviewed photographs taken by Lipponen, said the animal’s colour suggested it was a beluga. He said he would need to see the shape of its back up close to confirm its identity.

Dernjatin said the whale could be the one spotted in the sea between Söderskär and Pirttisaari near Porvoo about a month ago. He said it might be a young male from the Arctic Ocean.

The White Sea beluga population is the closest to Finland, Dernjatin said. He believes the whale may have strayed into the region via the Norwegian coast and the Danish straits. He added that the water is somewhat murky and food may be difficult to find.