Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 28, 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A2 W E might not get a lot of tropical wildlife in these parts, but if you were to stick a microphone into the chilly, brackish waters of a northern Manitoba estuary right about now, you'd think you were in a jungle. Beneath the dark water is a raucous chorus of sounds, from high- pitched chirps to deep animal grunts. Even above the surface, you might catch the strains of a floating, flute- like song, or see a sudden cluster of bubbles erupt nearby. " It sounds like a jungle out there," said Arctic expert Pierre Richard, but it's not - it's the annual gathering of Hudson Bay beluga whales, and this year, you can watch them live online. This time every summer, more than 56,000 belugas - a third of the global population - swim to estuaries in Manitoba, the largest gatherings taking place at the mouths of the Nelson, Churchill and Seal rivers. Scientists aren't completely clear on why they flock there, but Richard, a retired beluga expert, said it's likely a combination of reasons. "( Experts) say they rub at the bottom ( of rivers) when their skin is molting, and they say they come to socialize, they say they come to warm water and so on and so forth. I think all of these things may have a role," Richard said. " Probably the most important role," he said, is to seek refuge from predators - especially killer whales - in shallow water while their newborns are too young to keep up with the group and Hudson Bay ice is scarce in the summer. The sounds they make earned them the name " canary of the sea," Richard said, and many of the sounds are probably " contact calls," used to let other whales know where they are. Belugas travel in pods of five to 10 or more, Richard said, and are highly social and inquisitive animals. The Hudson Bay variety are habituated to humans and boats, known to rub up against vessels in curiosity, or shoot up bubbles and flap their tails in surprise when they notice one. Belugas are toothed whales, known for their white colouring and smiling faces. A full- sized male can be up to six metres and weigh more than 1,600 kilograms. They're born brown or pink, but quickly turn light grey and stay that way for about two years. Hayley Shephard is the captain and " narrator" of a boat sailing the Churchill River waters to catch belugas on camera. She's the voice of the " Beluga Cam," launched every year by Explore. org, group also in charge of an annual Polar Bear Cam. The " Beluga Boat," as she calls it, comes equipped with an underwater camera to capture all the action. This year's session started Monday, and the Free Press will be live- streaming the footage at winnipegfreepress. com. " Live cameras situated in wild and remote places, capturing nature at its best, is one of the most non- intrusive ways to have everybody in the world experiencing these animals in their natural habitat," Shephard said via email. " People's lives are being changed as they witness in real time the world of the beluga whale, or polar bear, or grizzly." " I am continuously mesmerized by the belugas every day that I go out," she added. " We see something new each and every day." aidan. geary@ freepress. mb. ca A 2 TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015 winnipegfreepress. com If someone you know has Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, we're here to help. Call 204- 943- 6622 or 1- 800- 378- 6699 or visit us online at alzheimer. mb. ca BATHROOM SAFETY !!! EXISTING BATHTUB INTO A STEP- IN BATH CONVERT YOUR . Reduce the risk of falls! . Done in one day! . No other modifications! 204- 997- 7249 wilsonagency@ mymts. net To view installation video: www. walkthrubathtub. com $ 1399 Supply, install + GST Check out these local retailers inside this week's SUPE R SH PPER 204- 237- 4295 204- 254- 1935 204- 475- 7522 204- 235- 0700 204- 654- 9944 204- 775- 2222 204- 949- 9299 204- 254- 3644 204- 257- 8095 204- 586- 2728 EUROPEANMEATS & SAUSAGES Delivered door- to- door to Wininpeg Free Press Subscribers this Thursday. Auto Auction Wednesday July 29 6: 15 PM 7130 Roblin Blvd This sale approx 100 vehicles many safety certified some subject to reserve. Cars and Trucks - 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, 2010 Chevrolet Impala, 2009 Dodge Journey, 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2009 Chev Cobalt LT, 2008 Mercury Mountaineer, 2008 Jeep Patriot, 2008 Dodge Dakota, 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, 2007 Ford Ranger, 2007 Ford F150, 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 2006 Toyota Yaris, 2006 Mercedes_ Benz E350, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, 2006 Ford Freestyle, 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2006 Chevrolet Express, 2006 BMW 750i, 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 2005 Chevrolet Uplander, 2005 Buick Allure, 2005 Acura EL, 2004 Volvo S 40, 2004 Volco XC 90, 2004 Saturn Vue, 2004 Chrysler Sebring, 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2004 Chev Silverado, 2003 VW Jetta, 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2003 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Ford Escape, 2003 Chevrolet Tracker, 2002 Lincoln LS, 2002 Honda Accord SE, 2002 Chevrolet S 10, 2002 Acura RSX, 2002 Acura MDX, 2001 Saturn SC1, 2000 Chrysler Town & Country, 2000 Acura 3.5 RL, 1999 Honda Accord and much more Repossessions - 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 SL, 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT, 2011 Kia Rondo EX, 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE and more. Many Vehicles Sold for the Canadian Diabetes Association Viewing- Wednesday 8A. M Till Sale Time 300.00 Cash Deposit Required on Vehicles at Time of Purchase. Listing at www. associatedautoauction. com or by Fax Sale Conducted by Associated Auto Auction Ltd. 7130 Roblin Blvd 895- 9790 Toll Free 866- 737- 0944 Auction Every Wednesday Arts & Life D 1 Business B 4 Classified C 8 Comics D 5 Diversions D 6 Editorials A 6 Horoscope D 4 Jumble C 8 Letters to the Editor A 6 Miss Lonelyhearts D 4 Movies D 2 Sports C 1 TV D 4 Weather B 6 COLUMNISTS Brad Oswald D 1 Gordon Sinclair Jr. B 1 . OBITUARIES C 6 Lottery numbers were not available at press time due to a change in policy by Western Canada Lottery Corp. to extend lotto- ticket sales by 90 minutes. LOTTERIES INSIDE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 1355 Mountain Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2X 3B6 Privacy policy and questions www. winnipegfreepress. com/ privacy. html CIRCULATION INQUIRIES MISSING OR INCOMPLETE PAPER? 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Advertising@ freepress. mb. ca EDITORIAL Newsroom 204- 697- 7301 News tip 204- 697- 7292 Fax 204- 697- 7412 Photo desk 204- 697- 7304 Sports desk 204- 697- 7285 Business news 204- 697- 7301 PHOTO REPRINTS - 204- 697- 7063 City desk / City. desk@ freepress. mb. ca Letters to the editor / Letters@ freepress. mb. ca WATCH: City hall making progress in being inclusive to women / B 1 TODAY ON . com READER SERVICE / GENERAL INQUIRIES 204- 697- 7000 THELMA Krull's family is pressing ahead with efforts to keep the search for the missing 57- yearold grandmother in the news. " We're reviewing everything at the moment," Krull's daughter, Lisa Marquis Besser, said Monday. Besser said she was meeting with police Monday, and at the family's request and weather permitting, there was to be an event at the Red River Speedway Monday night to publicize the ongoing search. " I asked for the meeting with police to touch base, to see what different things ( to do) and what we can rule out," Besser said. The family planned to hand out flameless candles in the stands at Red River Speedway and release Chinese lanterns in an effort to keep attention on Krull's disappearance. That event, which the family is calling Keep the Light On, was originally scheduled for last Thursday but the races were rained out. Krull has been missing since July 11. Despite exhaustive searches, nothing has been reported publicly to advance the case and the family is desperate to find the missing woman. " Two weeks into it, we're not sure what we're supposed to be doing," Besser said. Krull was last seen at 7: 23 a. m. on July 11, leaving her home in Harbourview South to go for a walk in the Valley Gardens area. She had been taking long walks recently in preparation to go hiking in B. C. later this summer, but she missed her grandson's birthday and her family has said it's out of character for her not to be in contact with them. Krull's glasses were found in the Valley Gardens area July 15. Police said investigators recovered other items, but wouldn't confirm whether they belonged to Krull. By the beginning of the second week, police had logged more than 100 tips from the public. Indigenous searchers with experience in campaigns for missing and murdered aboriginal women had joined the effort, mounting search parties that combing the area every evening, despite extreme heat warnings in the forecast. Candlelight vigil held for Krull Thelma Krull has been missing since July 11. Hudson Bay's whale of a party By Aidan Geary Webcam stream shows belugas in natural state See video at http:// wfp. to/ beluga �� SUPPLIED PHOTO Every summer, tens of thousands of beluga whales congregate at the mouths of northern Manitoba rivers. A_ 02_ Jul- 28- 15_ FP_ 01. indd A2 7/ 27/ 15 10: 54: 49 PM ;