Taking Whale Research to New Heights

A different vantage point for studying whales – Contributed photo

Using a Small Unmanned Hexacopter to Non-invasively Monitor the Health of Resident Killer Whales.
Presented by John Durban

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome John Durban as part of the 2015 Summer Lecture Series on Friday, September 4th at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Durban will give an overview of his research and collaborations using photogrammetry to fill key data gaps that currently constrain the conservation of Northern and Southern Resident killer whales in the US and Canada: specifically measuring whale growth and body condition to assess whether the abundance of their chinook salmon prey is low enough to cause nutritional stress and impair reproduction.

Currently this work involves the use of a small unmanned hexacopter to non-invasively collect images from 100 ft above the whales to assess the health of individuals. John will also discuss his use of this technique to study blue whales, gray whales and humpback whales, but will focus mainly on his current research on Southern Resident killer whales around the San Juan Islands and Northern Resident killer whales in Johnstone Strait. Authorized by permits and airspace clearances in both the US and Canada, this work addresses key elements of conservation plans in both countries that are aimed at maintaining adequate food supplies for these protected populations.

The September 4th lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30 or visit the Whale Museum’s website at www.whalemuseum.org.

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