Tony Wu / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), group socialising in shallow water, aerial view. Part of larger group of more than 50 whales congregating, Sea of Okhotsk sub-population, Russia.

Steven Kazlowski / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) swimming amidst multi-layer ice (freshwater pans formed over many years where the salt is squeezed out of the ice) offshore from Point Barrow. Chukchi Sea, Arctic Al...

Flip Nicklin / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) tail, Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

Flip Nicklin / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) noses the kayak of biologist Kerry Finley, Isabella Bay, Baffin Island, Canada

DOC WHITE / Aerial view of bowhead whale {Balaena mysticetus} showing large crown (hump) around blowhole, Canadian Arctic

Martha Holmes / Bowhead whale just under ice, Arctic

Martha Holmes / Bowhead whale releasing breathing out underwater {Balaena mysticetus} Arctic

Franco Banfi / Camp with tents on beach in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate every summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Photographic equipment ready inside tent in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate every summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Diving fins resting against tent on beach with coniferous forest in background. In Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate in summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Outdoor kitchen on camp in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate in summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Sauna hut / banja and logpile at camp in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate every summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Person in river flowing through beach. Camp with tents in background, gathering to watch yearly congregation of Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Woman paddleboarding close to Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Woman paddleboarding in Vrangel Bay to get close to Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) swimming in coastal waters, aerial view. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Beach and river estuary, boreal forest in background, aerial view. Camp on beach, gathering to watch Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregation. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Camp in small bay, gathering to watchc congregation of Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), boreal forest in background, aerial view. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Drawing of Whale in sand, beach in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate every summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August.

Franco Banfi / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) swimming at surface, flipper visible. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Camp on beach at full moon, in Vrangel Bay where Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) congregate during summer. Primorsky Krai, Russia. August 2019.

Franco Banfi / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), two swimming in shallow water. Vrangel Bay, Primorsky Krai, Russia. August.

Tony Wu / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), five whales socialising in shallow water, aerial view. Sea of Okhotsk, Russia.

Hiroya Minakuchi / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) bones, Spitzbergen, Svalbard, Norway

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sow with two cubs walking past a pile of Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) bones, Kaktovik, Barter Island, 1002 Area, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, North Slope, Alaska...

Yumiko Wakisaka / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)

Todd Mintz / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom, east coast Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, May.

Todd Mintz / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom, east coast Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, May.

Todd Mintz / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) rubbing off flaking skin on the ocean bottom, east coast Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, May.

Todd Mintz / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) at surface showing blowhole on the east coast of Baffin island, Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada, August 2012.

Steven Kazlowski,Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers butcher a Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch in the village of Kaktovik, Barter Island, North Slope, Alaska

Hiroya Minakuchi / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) diving, Denmark

Mark Carwardine / Bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) fluking Igloolik, Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Arctic Canada

Mark Carwardine / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) surfacing, showing distinctive triangular head and arched mouthline, Igloolik, Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Arctic Canada

Mark Carwardine / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticeus) surfacing, showing distinctive profile, Igloolik, Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Arctic Canada

Mark Carwardine / Whaling - Bowhead whale rib bone {Balaena mysticetus} Norway

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) scavenging on baleen whale bones at night in the 1002 coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cub plays with a piece of bowhead whale baleen (Balaena mysticetus)along the arctic coast at sunrise, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, North Slope, Alaska...

Paul D Stewart / 1837 illustration of Greenland / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) breaching, from Jardine's 'Naturalist's Library', Whales, Plate 23 Volume VI, from artwork of Stewart engraved by W. H. Lizars. Ori...

Steven Kazlowski / Silhouette of Inupiaq subsistence whalers at the edge of an open lead in the pack ice, looking for passing bowhead whales as the mid-day sun follows the horizon. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arc...

Steven Kazlowski / Silhouette of Inupiaq subsistence whalers at the edge of an open lead in the pack ice, looking for passing bowhead whales as the mid-day sun follows the horizon. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arc...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whaler stands on jumbled ice at the edge of an open lead in the pack ice to look for passing bowhead whales, during spring whaling season. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arctic...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers try to catch a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) from their umiak in an open lead in the pack ice. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arctic coast of Alaska, April 2012.

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers prepare to pull up a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch along the edge of the open lead in the pack ice. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arctic coast of Alaska, Ap...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whaler stands on jumbled ice at the edge of an open lead in the pack ice to look for passing bowhead whales, during spring whaling season. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barrow, Arctic...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers paddle their umiak, or bearded seal skin boat, to find passing bowhead whales traveling through the open lead, during spring whaling season. Chukchi Sea, offshore from Barr...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers paddle their umiak - or bearded seal skin boat - and break thin ice forming in the open lead, allowing for passing bowhead whales during spring whaling season. Chukchi Sea,...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers get into their umiak - or bearded seal skin boat - in order to break thin ice forming in the open lead, allowing for passing bowhead whales during spring whaling season. Ch...

Steven Kazlowski / Young Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) standing on top of a dead Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) left by Inupiaq subsistence whalers, Barter Island, off the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Re...

Doc White / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) near sea surface. Canadian Arctic, summer.

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) sits upon and feeds on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) jawbone, Barter Island, Alaska, USA, November

Eric Baccega / Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) surfacing amongst melting ice with Black Guillemots (Cepphus grylle) resting on ice. Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Canada, July.

Eric Baccega / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) at the sea surface. Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Canada, July.

Eric Baccega / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) at the sea surface. Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Canada, July.

Eric Baccega / Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) breaching. Foxe Basin, Nunavut, Canada, July.

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) large male scavenging the carcass of a bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, in early autumn, Barter Island, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) large boar scavenging the carcass of a Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus) alongside a flock of gulls, in early autumn, Barter Island, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wild...

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cub scratching itself on jawbone of Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) old boar covered in snow, feeding on Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) skin and blubber /muktuk, along the arctic coast, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,...

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) large boar scavenging a Bowhead Whale carcass left by Inupiaq subsistence hunters along the Arctic coast of Alaska

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / 19th century print of breaching Greenland / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) being chased by whaling boat.

Bryan and Cherry Alexander / 19th century print of breaching Greenland / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) being chased by whaling boat between icebergs.

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq subsistence whalers butcher a Bowhead whale, (Balaena mysticetus) catch on the pack ice during spring whaling season, Chukchi Sea, off the coastal village of Barrow, Alaska. May 2009

Steven Kazlowski / Residents from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow along with subsistence whalers pull a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea...

Steven Kazlowski / Residents from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow along with subsistence whalers pull a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea...

Steven Kazlowski / Residents from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow along with subsistence whalers pull a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea...

Steven Kazlowski / Residents from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow along with subsistence whalers pull a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea...

Steven Kazlowski / Residents from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow along with subsistence whalers pull a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea...

Steven Kazlowski / Flag of an Inupiaq subsistence whaling crew attached to a harpoon in the pack ice, at the site of a Bowhead whale catch during spring whaling season, Chukchi Sea, off shore from the arctic village of...

Steven Kazlowski / Subsistence whaling family from the Inupiaq arctic village of Barrow, pose for a photo after catching a bowhead whale in springtime, on the pack ice over the Chukchi Sea, off the coast of Alaska, USA....

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq / Inuit woman stands next to a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch during spring whaling season, Chukchi Sea, off the coastal village of Barrow, Alaska. May 2009

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq / Inuit subsistence whalers butcher a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch on the pack ice during spring whaling season, Chukchi Sea, off the coastal village of Barrow, Alaska, USA, May 20...

Steven Kazlowski / Inupiaq / Inuit subsistence whalers pulling a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) catch onto the pack ice using a block and tackle pulley system, Chukchi Sea, off the coastal village of Barrow, Alaska,...

Steven Kazlowski / Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) exhaling through blowhole, swimming through open lead in the pack ice during spring migration, Chukchi Sea, off shore from Barrow, Alaska  

Steven Kazlowski / Scientists conducting Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) survey, From their observatory on the rough sea ice, they count passing whales during their spring migration, Chukchi Sea, off shore from Barro...

Steven Kazlowski / Scientists conducting Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) survey, From their observatory on the rough sea ice, they count passing whales during their spring migration, Chukchi Sea, off shore from Barro...

Steven Kazlowski / Scientists conducting Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) survey, count passing whales during their spring migration, Chukchi Sea, off shore from Barrow, Alaska. April 2009 NB:This survey is conducte...

Doug Allan / Inuit hunters and others draging Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) onto ice during native hunt, Barrow, Alaska, Alaska, May 1991

Doug Allan / Inuit hunters and others skinning Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) after native hunt, Barrow, Alaska, USA, May 1991

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) scavenging on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) looking out from inside a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) licking nose, during feeding on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) by a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, coat turning from summer phase of grey to winter phase of white, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,...

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) scavenging on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) by a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) scavenging on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Alaska, October 2008

Steven Kazlowski / Two Arctic foxes (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) scavenge a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, one in summer phase of grey and one in winter of white, 1002 area of the Arctic N...

Steven Kazlowski / Old Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) boar feeding on a piece of Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) skin and blubber / muktuk, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Beaufort Sea,...

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) pair of cubs playing with one another while their mother scavenges a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic coast, Beaufort Se...

Steven Kazlowski / Juvenile Snowy owl (Bubo scandiaca) feeding on Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) blubber along the Arctic coast, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Autumn

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) feeding on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, coat turning from summer phase of grey to winter phase of white, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife...

Steven Kazlowski / Young Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) feeding after scavenging a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, its coat turning from summer brown to winter white, Arctic coast, 1002 area of the Arc...

Steven Kazlowski / Young Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) its coat turning from summer brown to winter white, scavenges a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass along the Arctic coast, 1002 area of the Arctic Na...

Steven Kazlowski / Young Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) its coat turning from summer brown to winter white, scavenges a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass along the Arctic coast, 1002 area of the Arctic Na...

Steven Kazlowski / Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) with female and cub in background, congregate on newly formed pack ice where a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass has been left by Inupiaq subsistence whalers, 10...

Steven Kazlowski / Arctic fox (Vulpes / Alopex lagopus) feeding on a Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcass, coat turning from summer phase of grey to winter phase of white, 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife...