Wild Cetacean News

Skin disease in orcas off North American coast concerns scientists

Lesions found on 99% of southern resident orcas studied on Pacific north-west coast

Scientists studying an endangered population of orcas resident off the Pacific north-west coast of Canada and the US have recorded a “strong increase” in skin lesions on the animals’ bodies, which they believe is owing to the decreasing ability of their immune systems to deal with disease.

The lesions appear on the whales as grey patches or targets, or black pin points. Some resemble tattooed skin. Their presence on the animals’ graphically black and white bodies is “increasing dramatically”, according to Dr Joseph K Gaydos of the SeaDoc Society at the school of veterinary medicine at the University of California, lead author of the scientific paper.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.amp...-off-north-american-coast-concerns-scientists
 
Other Gray Whales Killed by Orcas Found on Oregon Coast, Revealing More Science

There has been heaps of killer whale activity along the Oregon coast this spring, and this has resulted in some compelling finds and moments. It turns out, not all of that has been public. Now, new facts about their visits offshore have come to light, including there have been more gray whale killings than we knew about.

Other Gray Whales Killed by Orcas Found on Oregon Coast, Revealing More Science
 
Sighting of New Baby Orca Reported

A new Southern Resident orca calf is reported to have been born into L-pod recently and we are working to confirm the sighting. The calf would be L-pod's first new member in two years. Defenders of Wildlife Northwest Representative Kathleen Callaghy released the following statement in response to the good news.

“Good news is sadly rare and extremely welcome when it comes to these whales,” Callaghy said. "They are up against so many challenges, but they keep going.”

Sighting of New Baby Orca Reported
 
Moms Protect Their Large Orca Sons From Whale Fights

Even the ocean's apex predator needs some support from Mom.

The ocean’s apex predators have been getting a bad rap recently – first, they were exposed for attacking boats in Europe and then an unflattering story about salmon hats came out. Now, in a further reminder they are not to be messed with, it’s been revealed that post-menopausal orca moms protect their sons from fights with other whales – a courtesy they don’t extend to their daughters.

Post-Menopause Orca Moms Protect Their Large Orca Sons From Whale Fights
 
Cooperative Circle Feeding Means Snacks All Around

For the first time, scientists have observed southern right whales feeding together in a circle.

Cetaceans are some of the most creative feeders in the animal kingdom. Common bottlenose dolphins create waves to corral fish to the shore where they can be easily caught, while humpback whales use bubbles to herd schools of fish. Toothed cetaceans, such as dolphins and killer whales, also engage in clever cooperative feeding behaviors. Most baleen whales, however, tend to eat solo. But a few years ago, researchers from CESIMAR, a marine research center in Argentina, happened upon a never-before-seen behavior while studying southern right whales and ship traffic, and recently published their findings.

Cooperative Circle Feeding Means Snacks All Around | Hakai Magazine
 
Humpback whale struck in head by boat propeller off Pilbara coastline in Western Australia

A 4-metre humpback whale has been severely injured after being struck in the head by a boat propeller off Western Australia.

Key points:
  • Marine wildlife experts have determined the whale's chance of survival is extremely low
  • More than 30,000 humpback whales migrate each year along Western Australia's coastline
  • A whale calf was struck by a tugboat off the Pilbara coast in August
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) received a report about the injured animal off Dampier in the state's north west around 9am on Sunday.

DBCA said staff monitored the animal for several hours before it was observed swimming into deeper water.

Crews continued their search on Monday but were unable to find the whale.

Marine wildlife experts determined the whale's chance of survival was extremely low.

https://amp-abc-net-au.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.abc.net.au/article/102866588
 
IAATO includes geo-fenced protection areas for whales in its Antarctica guidelines

The 2023/24 Antarctica season will see 17 new trial site guidelines including special areas so as to protect whales, according to the latest initiatives by IAATO, reports Sea Trade Cruise News.

These are among the actions agreed by members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators to support safe and environmentally responsible travel to the region.

'The latest measures are an example of IAATO’s continued commitment to operating at the highest standards to provide enriching, educational experiences to visitors while respecting and protecting the region we care so deeply about,' IAATO Executive Director Gina Greer said.

IAATO includes geo-fenced protection areas for whales in its Antarctica guidelines
 
A young adult male orca of about six meters in length that was spotted off the Belgian coast this morning has sadly since washed up on the beach near the border of Sint-Idesbald (Koksijde) and De Panne and died after a brief struggle. The animal appears to be very skinny in the photos. Scientists will perform an autopsy on the beach tomorrow morning, after which the animal's carcass will be removed. The skeleton will be preserved by the university of Ghent.

Mannetjesorka "Reveil" aangespoeld in De Panne: "Helaas het einde voor het dier"
KIJK. Mannetjesorka ‘Reveil’ overleden: “Zijn doodstrijd heeft niet lang geduurd”
 
Climate change is killing river dolphins, but 11 nations have signed a pledge to protect them

The Global Declaration for River Dolphins exists to halt the decline of the six surviving river dolphin species

In early October 2023, it was reported that more than 120 pink river dolphins had been found dead in Lake Tefé, which is connected to the Amazon River. Local scientists hypothesize that the deaths occurred because the region has experienced record heat and drought, which in turn places the blame on human-caused climate change. Yet in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and other sources, other direct efforts will be necessary to save pink river dolphins — and, for that matter, all six surviving species of river dolphins — from extinction.

"River dolphins are very social animals, and they love to play."

Many nations are aware of these risks, and one proposal to address it is the Global Declaration for River Dolphins, which was signed earlier this month by 11 out of the 14 countries that are native to river dolphins.

https://www.salon.com/2023/10/30/cl...nations-have-signed-a-pledge-to-protect-them/
 
UngulateNerd92 said:
Climate change is killing river dolphins, but 11 nations have signed a pledge to protect them

The Global Declaration for River Dolphins exists to halt the decline of the six surviving river dolphin species

In early October 2023, it was reported that more than 120 pink river dolphins had been found dead in Lake Tefé, which is connected to the Amazon River. Local scientists hypothesize that the deaths occurred because the region has experienced record heat and drought, which in turn places the blame on human-caused climate change. Yet in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and other sources, other direct efforts will be necessary to save pink river dolphins — and, for that matter, all six surviving species of river dolphins — from extinction.

"River dolphins are very social animals, and they love to play."

Many nations are aware of these risks, and one proposal to address it is the Global Declaration for River Dolphins, which was signed earlier this month by 11 out of the 14 countries that are native to river dolphins.

https://www.salon.com/2023/10/30/cl...nations-have-signed-a-pledge-to-protect-them/
Click to expand...

Over 100 dolphins cooked in the Amazon river as climate change heats water to Jacuzzi temperatures

The dolphins may have lost 10 percent of their population, which could threaten the survival of the species.

Jacuzzi-level temperatures of the Amazon River have killed more than 100 pink river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) in Brazil over the past week after more than 120 carcasses were seen floating in Lake Tefé, which is connected to the Amazon River.

According to the Mamirauá Institute, a research facility funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, the dolphins' deaths can likely be attributed to a historic drought and record-high water temperatures, which in some places have exceeded 102 degrees Fahrenheit — the same heat of a typical Jacuzzi. Not only is this intolerably warm for the river dolphins, but it also reduces the oxygen levels in the water, which render the area even more unliveable.

https://www.salon.com/2023/10/03/mo...in-the-as-climate-change-overheats-the-water/
 
Sperm whale and calf seen off Cape for 1st time in 6 years of surveys

The worldwide sperm whale population is still recovering from more than 100 years of commercial whaling.

While surveying an area southeast of Cape Cod recently, researchers with the New England Aquarium witnessed a rare treat: an endangered sperm whale adult and a calf. It was the first sighting of a sperm whale and calf since the aquarium began conducting aerial surveys in the area in 2016.

The whales were seen in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, a stretch of ocean about the size of Connecticut situated 130 miles off the Cape. The protected area is home to four massive seamounts, or extinct volcanoes, and three underwater canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon.

https://www.boston.com/news/local-n...-off-cape-for-1st-time-in-6-years-of-surveys/
 
Whales and dolphins in American waters are losing food and habitat to climate change, US study says

The NOAA study is significant because it's the first to look broadly at U.S. marine mammals and attempt to predict their resiliency to climate change.

Whales, dolphins and seals living in U.S. waters face major threats from warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels and decreasing sea ice volumes associated with climate change, according to a first-of-its-kind assessment.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration examined more than 100 stocks of American marine mammal species and found more than 70% of those stocks are vulnerable to threats, such as loss of habitat and food, due to the consequences of warming waters. The impacts also include loss of dissolved oxygen and changes to ocean chemistry.

https://www.boston.com/news/environ...-food-habitat-climate-change-new-england-u-s/
 
Decline of rare right whale appears to be slowing, but scientists say big threats remain

Once numerous, their populations were decimated during the commercial whaling era. They have been federally protected for decades.

The decline of one of the rarest whales in the world appears to be slowing, but scientists warn the giant mammals still face existential threats from warming oceans, ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.

The population of North Atlantic right whales, which live off the U.S. East Coast, fell by about 25% from 2010 to 2020 and was down to only about 364 whales as of 2021. Now the whales are at around 356 in total, according to a group of scientists, industry members and government officials who study them.

https://www.boston.com/news/environ...le-slowing-but-scientists-big-threats-remain/
 
World’s largest ever animal rediscovered living near tiny islands

Decades after hunters pushed
blue whales to the brink of extinction, a population of the ocean giants has returned to a string of islands that was once a brutal hunting ground.

In the 1960s, Soviet hunters discovered a population of 500 living off the Seychelles' 115 tropical islands and killed them all. They also wiped out an estimated 12,000 pygmy blue whales from the Indian Ocean. While the region became a sanctuary for whales in the late 1970s, the species had not been seen since.

Now researchers have announced they’ve recorded five sightings over the last five years. “Never in my life would I have imagined that the biggest animal on planet earth cruises our oceans here in Seychelles,” researcher Dillys Pouponeau said after their rediscovery.

https://au-news-yahoo-com.cdn.amppr...vered-living-near-tiny-islands-000008553.html
 
Toxic Banned Chemicals Exceed Safe Thresholds in UK Orcas

Levels of banned chemicals in UK-stranded orcas are 30 times over the toxic threshold, uncovers new ZSL-led research. The finding is just one alarming discovery from the investigation into the scale at which chemical pollution threatens the future of marine mammals.

Published today (27 November 2023), the first-of-its-kind study, reveals that levels of six chemical pollutants remain at highly toxic levels within UK marine mammals – exceeding the safe limits in half of animals investigated – more than two decades after the use of many of them was restricted or banned.


Banned pollutants threaten Europe’s remaining orcas | ZSL
 
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