Whale Science

The Mystery of Menopausal Whales

What do middle-aged women and whales have in common? Perhaps the unexpected answer is … menopause. Although they don’t have to suffer through hot flashes and mood swings, several whale species stop getting pregnant midway through life. So-called post-reproductive lifespans have puzzled biologists for years. After all, evolutionary theory taught us that the whole purpose […]

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The whale with no tail – Fluker is dying

Here is the story of Fluker, the fluke-less fin whale. This female whale became famous in the Mediterranean Sea because she lost her tail about a year ago. Through this post, we would like to raise awareness on boat strikes and drifting nets that injure/kill many whales everywhere, every year. Today, Fluker, the whale with

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Orca Awareness Month: Southern Residents (Part Two)

Make sure to read Part 1 before you read this post. Regrettably, Part 2 is a bit of a downer but is necessary to address. The SRKWs population has been drastically decreasing. The most recent population estimate indicates a total of 73 individuals remaining. Scientists have identified three main threats to the SRKW population: starvation,

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Life and Death of Montreal’s Whale

Whale enthusiasts from Quebec were both shocked and saddened when they heard about the loss of Montreal’s famous humpback whale visitor. This acrobatic animal, known for its many beautiful breaches in Montreal’s old port, was found lifeless in the east of Montreal about a week ago. In this post, we revisit the story of Montreal’s

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Orca Awareness Month: Southern Residents (Part One)

June is Orca Awareness Month! We wanted to focus this post on the Southern Residents because they are the most endangered population of killer whales. Yet, they are among the most studied whales in the world. We know so much about them. Here is a little introduction to these beautiful majestic whales. Populations and Ecotypes

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The stubborn whale remains in Montreal’s old port

UPDATE June 10th 2020 The young female humpback whale in Montreal died on June 9th, 2020 on its way back towards the sea. The necropsy is being performed on June 10th by vets from the University of Montreal. A collision seems to have caused the whale’s death. We will keep you posted. Rest in peace,

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A whale is in Montreal today for the first time in history!

Come read the update on the whale in Montreal here. UPDATE May 31st 2020 The whale is still in Montreal. It likely cannot go further because the current is too strong. The whale seems to be 2-3 years old and in good health, according to the Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins

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