How it Works
By analyzing whale feces, we can answer important questions about a killer whale’s health.
These findings play a critical role in providing better protections, informing policy, triggering urgent actions, and better understanding all of the factors affecting the survival and recovery of endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Pregnancy
Measuring reproductive hormone levels, we can detect a pregnancy as early as two months from the time of conception. By alerting agencies about pregnant killer whales, dynamic protections can be put in place to ensure pregnant females are not disturbed, for the best chance of a successful birth.
Stress
Measuring the levels of unique stress hormones, we can differentiate between nutritional stress and environmental stress. Placed in the hands of policymakers, these results can be used to inform fisheries decisions and provide feedback regarding the effectiveness of disturbance mitigation efforts.
Contaminants
During periods of nutritional stress, toxicants accumulated in blubber are released and effectively poison killer whales and their calves from the inside out. By understanding the relationships between nutrition, contaminants, and reproductive success, better policies can be developed to recover killer whales.
Prey
By analyzing prey DNA in whale feces, fish scales, and tissue, we can identify a killer whale's preferred menu items. Genetic analysis also provides the ability to pinpoint the home rivers of these salmon and can be used by fisheries managers to prioritize recovery of key salmon populations.
How it Works
From Detection to Protection
Slide to follow the journey.
How it Works
Follow
We locate and follow whales downwind at a non-invasive distance typically exceeding 400 meters at slow speeds.
How it Works
Detect
A trained scent detection dog positioned on the bow of the vessel directs the crew to the location of whale feces.
How it Works
Collect
Once spotted visually, the crew collects the feces from the water using a sterile scoop attached to a pole.
How it Works
Process
Once onboard, our crew removes excess seawater from the sample and prepares it for transport to the lab.
How it Works
Analyze
Lab analysis identifies the individual whale and measures hormones, contaminants and other variables.
How it Works
Alert
When a significant health concern is identified, we alert management agencies, other scientists, and the public.
How it Works
Advise
We advise management, and enforcement agencies on recommendations for protections and policies.
How it Works
Protect
Agencies are armed with data to implement protections and public engagement holds them accountable.