Largest animals on Earth: Ukrainian polar explorers show whales in Antarctica
Whales in the Antarctic (facebook.com/AntarcticCenter)
Ukrainian polar researchers are actively engaged in observing whales and studying these magnificent creatures. A comprehensive research program on cetaceans was initiated by scientists at the National Antarctic Research Center (NARC) in 2018. It encompasses several key areas, according to the National Arctic Scientific Center.
What you need to know about whales
Each whale possesses unique features that distinguish it. For instance, in humpback whales, it's the tail fin. The pattern on it, akin to fingerprints in humans, is distinctive.
Scientists take identification photos, catalog them, and compare catalogs from different regions, utilizing resources like the "Happywhale" global database. Currently, Ukrainian scientists have identified over 1000 whales.
Such data aids scientists from various countries in studying the migrations of these mammals and their interactions.
Researchers also collect skin and blubber samples. Ukrainian biologists employ a crossbow with specialized arrows and tips that do not penetrate deeply into the animals' skin. This method, one of the most widely used worldwide, ensures harmlessness to the animals. Concurrently, this "biopsy" can reveal much about whales and their populations. Ukrainian scientists have already collected hundreds of samples, which are now being analyzed in laboratories.
Animals are studied using drones. This method allows for fairly accurate determination of the animal's size, conclusions about its age and feeding habits. This not only enhances understanding of whale population dynamics but also assesses the quality of the food base in a given year, as some species migrate to Antarctica precisely for feeding.
By the way, acoustic studies of these giants are also conducted. Our scientists conduct both passive acoustic monitoring of whales and purposefully record their vocalizations. This enables the establishment of the species composition of whales in the station's vicinity during different seasons, as well as the creation of acoustic catalogs with detailed descriptions of their individual sounds. For many species, there is still no comprehensive description of all types of their sounds.
Whales in the Antarctic (photo: Vadym Tkachenko, Oksana Savenko)
