{"id":5403,"date":"2023-04-07T13:49:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T13:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whalescientists.com\/?p=5403"},"modified":"2023-04-07T14:06:36","modified_gmt":"2023-04-07T14:06:36","slug":"secrets-of-dead-whales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whalescientists.com\/secrets-of-dead-whales\/","title":{"rendered":"What secrets can we uncover from dead whales?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The death of a whale can happen at sea or onshore if the animal beaches itself. Examining the dead whales can reveal many secrets like the cause of death, but also how a whale’s body works. In this post, we will explore the lesser-known area of cetacean research, post-mortem investigations, commonly known as necropsies. We will delve into how necropsies help us understand whales’ lives and their environment and ways to get involved in the world of post-mortem investigations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why study dead whales?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The main purpose of post-mortem investigations is to determine the cause of death of the stranded whale. Cetaceans hold a crucial position at the top of food chains, making them useful as indicators for their respective ecosystems. Any alterations in their habitat will affect all levels of the food chain, making their role even more significant. These investigations can reveal details about the animal that are impossible to observe while it is alive, such as the structure of internal organs, the presence of parasites or diseases, and even the types of food it consumes. Local governments frequently commission stranding organizations as they have a legal obligation to preserve the protected species of cetaceans as per (inter)national policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n