Scientists watched migrating whales. What did they notice?
Scientists have estimated that whales lose up to 11 tons of Sadła during their wandering. They published their discovery in the pages of the Marine Mammal Science.
Using drones, researchers from Griffith University in Australia conducted an observation of 103 humbacks (megapter Novaeangliae – ocean long Based on the very view of these creatures, they were able to estimate how many energy reserves they lost during their wandering.
Scientists studied weight loss in migrating whales
During migration from their fisheries to reproductive areas, humbaks lose about 36 percent of their reserves. Their body undergoes huge changes in the period between March – May and August – December. From the point where they are the thickest thanks to the absorption of Szczętek, commonly known as Kryl, they reach the moment when they are radically slimmer. This can be seen even with the naked eye in the pictures presented by scientists.
“A medium-sized adult humback loses about 36 percent of the body condition during migration. This is the equivalent of 11 tons of fat, i.e. about one bus, or two African elephants,” explained Alexandre Bernier-Graveline from Griffith University vividly.
He added to create such a supply of energy, the humback must eat about 57 tons of kryl. The average person’s consumption of such a amount of shrimp-like creatures would take 62 years. Bernier-Graveline did not hide that the findings of his teams impressed him. Earlier, he watched the smaller Arctic White (Delphinapterus Leucas) and had to switch to a completely new scale.
Kril is extremely important for humbacks
It was emphasized that observation using drones was an effective and non -invasive method of data collection. At the same time, however, it was a big technical challenge and many things could go wrong. Scientists explained that obtaining precise data required very good quality photos. The adverse weather conditions were also often a problem.
Among the research conclusions included the perception of the huge role of Kryl in the life of humbacks. This important source of energy provided mammals throughout the months, when they flowed into tropical areas to take care of reproductive issues. It was noted that negative changes in the environment affecting Kryl will also affect humpbacks. At the same time, it was emphasized that bold decisions had already saved whales and showed that negative trends can be reversed.
