The objective is to monitor the migratory cycle of right whales. The idea is to help save the species. Right whales swimming with newborn calves on Imbituba beach are being monitored, in real time, via satellite for the first time. ✅Click and follow the g1 SC channel on WhatsApp The idea is to better understand the migratory cycle of the species, scientifically called Eubalaena australis, and help conserve this mammal. “There are probably three groups of whales that come to our coast in different years. And it is important for us to understand what the migration pattern of all these groups is like over several years”, explains Karina, research director of the ProFranca project. Grumpy. Thus, researchers from the ProFranca project, the Aquali Institute and the Rio Grande do Sul Aquatic Mammal Study Group placed transmitters on eight whales from Imbituba, south of Santa Catarina. The place is known as a natural nursery for the species. This is the first work of its kind in Brazil. “This type of transmitter has the potential to transmit information about whale movements here on the coast of Santa Catarina for several months. Until they start migrating to feeding sites, allowing us to follow and discover the way for the first time. right whales, feeding from our coast to here,” Groch added. Satellite signal transmitter visible behind right whale breeding/NSC TV For 15 years, biologist Federico Sucunja aimed to apply transmitters to different species of whales. “I've traveled almost all over the world putting satellite transmitters on different populations, on different whales, in all the oceans. And here we have this network project that involves South Africa, the Falklands and Argentina”, explained Sukunja. The transmitter is launched by a type of harpoon with compressed air. Although the process does not pose any risk to the whales, they can react to the shot and cause accidents as they are close to the boat. The transmitter is visible on the animal's back. Whenever the whale comes to the surface to breathe, the device emits a signal to a satellite, showing its location in real time. Tracks Tracks of right whales observed by the Satellite Breeding/NSC TV Study program The objective of this study is to trace the routes taken by right whales on their journey between Antarctica and Imbituba, where they deliver their calves. With this, researchers intend to protect this corridor and preserve the species. “Today, the biggest threat to whale conservation worldwide is ship strikes. As we know that they will use these corridors at certain times, we can propose both speed and evasion of these routes to reduce the impact”, he explained. Biological researchers intend to discover where these whales feed before and after migrating to Imbituba. “To be able to really assess whether the impact that’s happening in these feeding areas is impacting whale reproduction here.” said the research manager of the ProFranca project, Eduardo Renault. The transmitters are expected to emit signals for a year. With this, researchers will be able to observe the entire migratory cycle of these whales. Depending on the results, more transmitters may be deployed in subsequent migration seasons. “This is a small initial step that is actually a big step towards the preservation of the (koala) species. It’s a feeling we can’t even describe”, summarizes Renault. Researchers begin satellite monitoring of right whales in new study ✅ Click and follow g1 SC channel on WhatsApp Video: g1 SC Most viewed in the last 7 days
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