Articles tagged with Whales
A new beaked whale species has been discovered and named after Māori whale expert Ramari Stewart, highlighting the importance of Indigenous knowledge in scientific discovery. The species, Mesoplodon eueu, was found in South Africa and features a unique name that reflects its Indigenous roots.
Researchers found polar bears can be used as indicators of environmental shifts, highlighting how changes affect marine mammal prey populations. They also discovered that polar bears are flexible eaters and will consume available prey, making them an ideal monitoring tool for tracking environmental changes.
A new study shows toothed whales rapidly adjust their echolocation behaviour to track fast-moving prey, with response times comparable to visual predators. The findings provide insights into how these unique animals hunt and may aid conservation efforts.
A new study published in Science of the Total Environment has found that 21% of Arctic fish eaten by beluga whales contain microplastic particles. Researchers estimate that belugas ingest up to 145,000 particles of microplastics per year, highlighting the pervasive nature of plastic pollution in the Arctic.
A study by University of British Columbia researchers reveals that southern resident killer whales have access to four to six times more Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea than northern residents. This challenges the common notion of a prey shortage for southern residents during summer feeding grounds.
Researchers developed a new, accurate method to detect North Atlantic Right Whale up-calls using Multimodal Deep Learning algorithms. The technology outperformed conventional methods in detecting up-calls, non-up-calls, and false alarms.
Researchers developed a method to forecast blue whale locations up to three weeks in advance, enabling proactive conservation and management. The tool helps minimize the burden on ocean users while protecting whales.
A University at Buffalo researcher proposes that humpback whale songs are not similar to bird songs but rather dynamic and freeform vocalizations. The study reveals changes in the units within whale songs over time, suggesting a vocal flexibility that demonstrates the inadequacy of using human labels for sound production.
A Cornell-University of South Carolina-led report warns that warming oceans are driving North Atlantic right whales towards extinction. The calving rate has declined by 26% since 2010, with the population now estimated at just 356 whales.
Researchers discovered three phases of growth that explain how cetaceans shift their nasal passage from a parallel to an angled orientation. This finding provides insight into the developmental process and could inform our understanding of cetacean evolution.
Researchers successfully detected and monitored Arctic narwhals and beluga whales using satellite orbiting 617km high, a breakthrough in cetacean tracking. This achievement demonstrates the potential of space-based monitoring for conservation efforts, providing valuable insights into these endangered species' habitats and behaviors.
A recent call for expanded research into climate change's impact on human-wildlife interactions aims to mitigate conflicts and alert policymakers, experts, and citizens. Climate-related changes in ecosystems and animal behaviors increase contact and competition between people and animals.
Researchers reprogrammed whale cells into neuronal cells to investigate the neurotoxic effects of an environmental pollutant. The study found that exposure to the pollutant led to apoptosis and disrupted cellular signaling pathways, ultimately causing neurodegeneration.
Researchers found menopause in two distinct killer whale ecotypes, with striking similarities between them. The study suggests that the evolutionary benefits of grandmothering may be a key factor in the development of menopause.
A recent workshop report emphasizes the significant ecological importance of whales in maintaining healthy oceans. Whales help mitigate climate change through nutrient transport and carbon sequestration, while also enhancing marine productivity and promoting biodiversity.
A team of researchers developed an algorithm that can predict when narwhals hunt, opening up new insights into their life and behavior. The algorithm uses acoustic data from clicks and buzzing sounds to map the whales' movement patterns and identify hunting areas.
A new study using drone footage reveals that killer whales have complex social structures, favoring interactions with specific individuals of the same sex and similar age. Younger whales and females play a central role in these groups, while older whales become less socially connected.
A new study by Newcastle University highlights the risk of dolphins and porpoises being caught in small-scale (artisanal) fisheries, particularly in low- and middle-income regions around the tropics and sub-tropics. The study's findings emphasize the need for international collaboration and cooperation to address this threat and balanc...
A study by researchers at the University of Washington has confirmed the presence of endangered blue whales in Indian waters, specifically off the southwest coast of India. The findings suggest that these whales are likely resident to the northern Indian Ocean and visit Lakshadweep seasonally.
Panama has expanded its Coiba protected area, covering 98,228.25 square kilometers, to achieve the 30x30 Initiative's goal of protecting 30% of the world's marine surface nine years early. The expansion protects unique underwater mountain ranges and migratory marine species.
A team of researchers from the University of New South Wales has discovered a new population of pygmy blue whales in the Indian Ocean, using data from underwater bomb detectors. The finding, published recently, confirms the existence of this smallest subspecies of blue whales, which can reach up to 24 meters long.
Researchers developed a machine learning technique to detect North Atlantic right whales by listening for their sounds underwater. The technology can remove unwanted noises, increasing the reliability of detecting right whales in adverse conditions, and offers hope for the species' survival and population increase.
A study found that North Atlantic right whales are significantly shorter today than they were 30-40 years ago, with average length decline of 7%. The researchers suggest that severe entanglements in fishing gear may be the main cause of this decline.
Researchers from Alfred Wegener Institute found that fin whales regularly inhabit waters surrounding Elephant Island, indicating a notable achievement in the fin whale population's recovery. The study suggests that protecting this habitat is crucial due to frequent visits by cruise ships and extensive krill fishing.
Researchers analyzed stable isotope analysis of skin, muscle, and bone tissue to study Sowerby's beaked whale spatial ecology. The results show that the species exhibits both short- and long-term habitat fidelity, with at least two subpopulations in the eastern and western Atlantic.
A new study on the 25 million-year-old fossil skull of Aetiocetus weltoni reveals that it had both teeth and baleen in adulthood. The discovery provides evidence of a major shift in feeding behavior from raptorial carnivory to filter-feeding, and sheds light on the evolution of modern baleen whales.
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals high levels of contaminants in killer whales near Norway, affecting their tissues and offspring. The findings also highlight the persistence and mobility of chemicals in marine ecosystems.
Two new studies show that whale-watching vessels frequently disregard legal guidelines, chasing whales, getting too close to calves, and forcing changes in behavior. Researchers also found that tourist boats surround a single mother and calf, highlighting the need for better conservation efforts.
A new study found significant variation in PCB concentrations among Icelandic orcas, with those eating mixed diets having up to 9 times higher levels. This contradicts earlier research and highlights the need for individualized assessments of health risks in killer whale populations.
A new study found that while man-made noise dominates in some Australian waters, the vast majority of regions remain unpolluted by ship noise. The research highlights the need to protect Australia's pristine oceans and set out proactive measures to manage marine environments.
Researchers observed shifts in nasal passage orientation in spotted dolphin and fin whale embryos and fetuses, revealing a complex evolution process. The study suggests that the two types of cetaceans may have developed their characteristic blowholes through different developmental processes.
Researchers found that Gray's beaked whales have high genetic diversity and flexible social systems, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions. The species' ability to thrive in the face of environmental shifts could provide insights into how other deep-sea animals respond to rapid ecological change.
Researchers attached an omnidirectional camera to a humpback whale to study its resting behavior. The whale was found to be inactive for half the recorded period, with active behavior in the latter half, suggesting it may have been recovering from foraging.
Researchers from Aarhus University found that harbor porpoises are drawn to decommissioned oil platforms in the North Sea, where they can find an abundance of fish and shelter. The installations act as artificial reefs, providing favorable living conditions for the whales.
A new analysis shows that Southern Resident killer whales prey on a variety of fish species throughout the year, including Chinook, steelhead, chum, and coho salmon. The researchers found that the whales' diet becomes less diverse during lean times, highlighting the need for strategies to support their food supply.
Killer whales in the Pacific Northwest are threatened by the decline of Chinook salmon, their primary food source. The study highlights the interconnectedness of these marine species and the need for conservation efforts to protect both predators and prey.
The report reviews available tools and current understanding of the health status and trends of individual whales and the species. It concludes with recommendations for additional information needs and necessary management actions to enhance the health of individual right whales.
A recent study published in Conservation Science and Practice found that known deaths of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales account for only 36% of the true death toll. The study analyzed data on whale encounters, animal health, serious injuries, and necropsies to determine undercounting of human-caused mortalities.
A new study found that whale sharks can heal from lacerations and abrasions within weeks, with partially removed dorsal fins re-growing. This knowledge provides a preliminary understanding of wound healing in this species, highlighting the importance of conservation management to minimize human impacts.
A new study by a University at Buffalo researcher challenges the cultural transmission hypothesis suggesting that whales learn their songs from others. Humpback whales' songs are changing in a precise manner, similar to beat-matching in music, contradicting existing research on cultural transmission and social learning.
Researchers used fin whale songs to create images of the Earth's crust layers by recording vibrations on seismometers. This method offers a novel approach to seismic research, particularly in areas where traditional methods are expensive or impossible to obtain.
Researchers use fin whale songs to probe Earth's crust at seafloor, producing lower-resolution results than traditional air-gun signals. The method complements conventional techniques and avoids harming ocean life caused by powerful blasts.
Researchers have developed a new DNA-based technique to determine the age and sex of living beluga whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet. The method uses DNA methylation data and machine learning to create an epigenetic clock for the species, providing accurate age estimates vital to conservation efforts.
A new international study suggests that starvation is contributing to the mortality of gray whales along the west coast of Mexico, USA, and Canada. The researchers used drone photogrammetry to measure the body condition of the whales, which showed a marked decline in juvenile and adult gray whales visiting Laguna San Ignacio.
Scientists have developed a method to track marine life in the Arctic using water samples, revealing insights into climate change impacts on bowhead whales and biodiversity. By analyzing environmental DNA in water bottles, researchers can monitor population diversity and patterns of migration.
A new study from Oregon State University uses fecal samples from Eastern North Pacific gray whales to assess endocrine levels and establish hormone baselines for stress and reproduction. The findings provide valuable context for understanding how human activities impact whales.
A team of researchers has discovered a new population of blue whales in the western Indian Ocean, identified by their unique song. The population is thought to spend most of its time in the northwestern Indian Ocean, challenging previous assumptions about whale migration patterns.
Researchers analyzed acoustic data from humpback whale songs to track population changes in the North Pacific. The study found a significant decrease in acoustic energy levels between 2014-15 and 2018-19, mirroring the declining number of whales during this period.
A study by Flinders University has tracked the movements of 13 pygmy blue whales along Southern Australia's foraging grounds and migratory routes. The research provided new insights into the ecological data, highlighting the importance of upwelling centers in mitigating human activities' impacts on the species.
Research from the Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that Antarctic minke whales prefer to live in regions covered with sea ice, while humpback whales avoid them. The findings provide essential information for successful marine protection in the Antarctic and highlight the importance of long-term acoustic observations.
Researchers found southern Australian long-finned pilot whales can mimic killer whale calls and engage in 'duetting' with other whales, revealing a complex acoustic communication system. The study's findings raise questions about the extent of home ranges for these whales.
A decade-long study of killer whale necropsies reveals widespread mortality linked to human activities, affecting all age classes. Human-caused deaths were found in healthy populations as well as endangered species, emphasizing the need for improved conservation strategies.
A study analyzing necropsy reports of stranded killer whales found human activity as a cause of death for orcas across every age group. The study highlights the need to address human interactions, such as vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement, to protect these vulnerable populations.
A decade-long analysis of necropsies reveals that killer whales are vulnerable to multiple human-caused deaths, affecting all age classes. The study underscores the need for improved conservation strategies and mitigation efforts to protect these endangered species.
A new co-governance model aims to save species such as salmon and southern resident killer whales from extinction through a $381 million conservation plan. The study highlights the importance of urban biodiversity conservation and investment in strategies like habitat restoration and public land management.
After being wiped out by whaling, blue whales have made a comeback to South Georgia, with 58 sightings reported in a 2020 survey and numerous acoustic detections. The discovery is key evidence in learning how the species is recovering following a ban on commercial whaling.
A new study from the New England Aquarium improves species distribution models for predicting whale habitats by incorporating food availability, such as zooplankton. The prey-centric model suggests that protections are needed in areas where whales are currently found and may be migrating to due to climate change.
New research suggests fin whales sing multiple different songs, which may be picked up by migrating individuals and spread to different parts of the ocean. This complex behavior provides new insights into how fin whale populations move and change over time.
Researchers captured the first ocean recordings of remoras hitchhiking on blue whales, revealing their refined skillset for navigating intense hydrodynamics. The study shows remoras select optimal regions, such as behind the blowhole, to reduce drag resistance and freely move around to feed and socialize.
Researchers discovered that whale-surfing remoras use the cushion of slow-moving water carried by whales to stay attached. The fish can move along the whale's body and even skim across locations without being torn free.