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Pacific WildLife Foundation Projects
Return of the Humpback Whale
In the 1980s the
Pacific WildLife Foundation (then West Coast Whale Research)
undertook pioneering research of humpback whales on the west coast
of
Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Now we are using those data to
document their recovery along the east and west coasts of Vancouver
Island. Identification of individual whales allows us to understand
how whales use the waters of the Pacific. Humpback whales can be
identified by markings on the undersides of their tail flukes. By
regularly ‘sampling’ areas using photographs of whale’s tail flukes
is the basis by which estimates of population size and definition
are drawn. Over time a picture emerges how individuals use an area,
how long they are present, their migratory destinations, birth
interval and age of sexual maturity.
Humpback whale
photo-identification sampling occurs annually in Clayoquot Sound on
the west coast of
Canada, both
through dedicated surveys by Dr. Jim Darling of PWLF, other
researchers and contributions from whale watching operations in the
region. All photo-identifications, in conjunction with ID
collections from throughout the Pacific will be used to further our
understanding of the abundance and behavior of humpbacks whales.
This information is critical to development of meaningful management
and conservation policies. Our partners include
Remote Passages and
Jamie’s Whaling Station. For more information humpback whales
click here and to learn more about this project or contribute,
click here.
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