In 2001, researchers at the New York Aquarium conducted a detailed experiment to determine if beluga whales could recognize their own reflections. Four female whales, including adults Kathy, Marina and Natasha along with her seven-year-old daughter Maris, were observed over 98 sessions with a large two-way mirror and a clear control panel. The study, published in 2026, examined responses for signs of self-awareness through contingency testing and mark-directed actions. Two whales, Natasha and Maris, displayed self-directed behaviors such as bubble blowing and rolling while watching the mirror, spending more time there than with the control. Natasha later showed mark inspection using the reflection, passing one test. Maris exhibited varied self-directed actions but did not complete the mark phase. These results place belugas among species including great apes, dolphins, elephants and magpies that have shown mirror self-recognition. The findings highlight potential links to empathy and social cognition in these highly vocal Arctic animals. Critics note the test favors visually oriented species.
