8/08/2008

#8: Half Day

We were only able to get out for half a day today, but we did collect a right whale fecal sample. The fecal samples are analysed by Dr. Rosalind Rolland of the New England Aquarium for health and reproduction analysis of right whales.
*photo taken by Claudia

Jonathan

Labels: Jonathan, Right Whales, Rosalind Rolland

3 Comments:

Anonymous said...: What does the fecal matter look like out of the net? Is it solid?

I can't believe it floats!; 8/9/08 11:49 PM
trish said...: Saving the whales looks so ... glamorous.; 8/9/08 11:52 PM
Cyndi said...: Author's reply:
@ anonymous: In the Bay of Fundy the fecal matter usually is solid, although it becomes dispersed over a wide area rather quickly. Right whale feces floats due to the high fat content of their food. Stay tuned for blog posts on what and how right whales eat!; 8/11/08 7:19 PM

About

Our Right Whale Research Team has moved to Lubec, Maine to begin their yearly Bay of Fundy field season. The season lasts from early August through September and we are proud that this will be our 29th year in a row. Check out our online photo gallery of images from the season. This year our research is made possible by generous grants from five supporters including Irving Oil, the Island Foundation, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Royal Caribbean Ocean Fund and a grant to our partners at Canadian Whale Institute from World Wildlife Fund/Environment Canada and decadent donations from Winfrey's Fudge and Chocolates.