SR3 recently published scientific papers on our research to assess the health of individual whales and their populations around the Antarctic Peninsula. This work is of great relevance for documenting and understanding the impacts of climate change in one of the fastest-warming regions on earth. SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach and Dr. John Durban are now on their way to Antarctica onboard the M/V National Geographic Endurance, for the first time since 2020 due to COVID disruptions. They will continue their research on the health of top predators (killer whales) and top consumers (humpback and minke whales) with support from the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. More updates to come!
Aerial image of a group of Type B2 killer whales in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula; note young calves swimming below their mothers. This image was collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit No. 19091 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 2017-029.