The World Wildlife Fund’s 2018 collection of conservation photography, featuring the work of the Friedlaender Lab, offers a glimpse into the diverse and fragile ecosystem of Antarctica. These images, available on the WWF’s website, plays a crucial role in conservation, bridging the gap between scientific research and public awareness. By sharing these captivating images, we can inspire a deeper appreciation and urgency for protecting our planet’s most vulnerable regions.
HOW HUMPBACK WHALES MADE A GLOBAL COMBACK
“As international whaling ramped up around the turn of the 20th century so did efforts by governments, activists, and the public to stop the practice. By 2016, more than half of the species’ 14 population segments were no longer considered endangered.” Check out the article which features BTBEL lab PhD student Logan Pallin’s work on pregnancy in Southern Ocean Humpbacks.
ANTARCTIC ADVOCATES
Check out the article in Bates magazine featuring Dr. Friedlaenders work on whales in the Antarctic. “… the more Friedlaender finds out about the whales, the more he understands how even the smallest change in climate has a huge impact
on their lives.” Emily McConville writes.
HUMPBACK WHALES REBOUND
Nineteenth century commercial whaling killed the vast majority of whales, but some species are coming back, especially humpbacks. Melting Antarctic ice has led to an abundance of krill, and with all that food humpback whales are thriving with high rates of pregnancy. University of California – Santa Cruz Researcher Ari Friedlaender tells Host Steve Curwood the comeback should be celebrated as a conservation victory, but there are questions about how long the krill boom might last. Read the details
MARINE SCIENTIST-IN-TRAINING CAMP SLATE FOR SUMMER IN MONTEREY BAY AREA
SANTA CRUZ >> High school students will get a chance this summer to shadow and assist top marine scientists, as part of a new field study program centered at the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center. Students will board research boats, to identify and assist in tagging whales and place listening sensors in open water. Read the news!
HUMPBACK WHALE BABY BOOM NEAR ANTARCTICA
In a rare piece of good news for whales, humpbacks who live and breed in the southern oceans near Antarctica appear to be making a comeback, with females in recent years having a high pregnancy rate and giving birth to more calves.
BENEATH THE ICE
A few miles off the coast of the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula, scientists are getting their first-ever detailed look at one of the most mysterious mammals on the planet, minke whales.
Smaller cousins of the mammoth blue whale, the elusive minkes have remained mostly out of reach in the deep fjords of the icy Antarctic. It wasn’t until earlier this month that a team of scientists using an array of drones, suction-cap tags, and whale-mounted video cameras uncovered some basic facts about the species, such as their average size and how they moved. They discovered that minkes, long thought to be loners, are outgoing and social. They found out that minkes had spots.
Minke Whale Research by Ari Friedlaender Influences Marine Conservation Policies With the WWF
Ari Friedlaender’s groundbreaking research on minke whale feeding behavior has provided critical insights that are shaping marine conservation efforts. In collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Friedlaender’s team has documented how these whales use high-speed lunges to capture prey, emphasizing their reliance on abundant krill populations. This partnership with WWF highlights the interconnectedness of marine species and underscores the need for sustainable fishing practices. The research is directly influencing policy decisions aimed at preserving ocean health and biodiversity, ensuring a balanced marine ecosystem for future generations.
Read the World Wildlife Story and watch the minke whale video.