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WHALE TRUST MAUI

Conducting, Promoting and Supporting Whale Research and Education in Maui, Hawai‘i

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Whale Trust Maui Blog

New Function for Bubbles Observed in Hawaiian Humpback Breeding Grounds

November 28, 2022 by Whale Trust Maui

Read Full Paper: Female Humpback Whale Positions Genital-Mammary Area to Intercept Bubbles Emitted by Males on the Hawaiian Breeding Grounds

Aquatic Mammals 2022, 48(6), 617-620, DOI 10.1578/AM.48.6.2022.617

Humpback whales are well known for their use of bubbles. One of their most widely documented uses occurs in a feeding context where either an individual or group of humpbacks utilize a variety of bubble-based tactics to net, trap, and herd their prey. 

Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures. NMFS Permit #19225.

We report a different use of bubbles by humpbacks in the Hawaiian breeding grounds on multiple occasions between 2000 and 2003 in the Au’au Channel off West Maui, Hawaii. Our research team at Whale Trust filmed a 14-minute interaction between multiple males and one female in which the males circled the female and produced bubbles directed toward the female’s swollen genital region. The female appeared to tolerate and possibly aid in the reception of these bubbles. We have observed similar scenarios on multiple other occasions as well.

These observations are intriguing and reveal a new dimension to male-female interactions on the breeding grounds. There are two primary contexts within which to consider this behavior:

 (1) To maximize mating opportunities – Mating/Estrus Female 

  • In the scenario that the female was present to mate and in estrus (a recurring state of sexual receptivity and fertility in many female mammals) this could explain her receptiveness of the males and the males’ attention toward the female. 
  • In this case, we could speculate that this interaction may serve a sexual purpose such as helping stimulate the female prior to intercourse or assisting in the release of chemical cues that could signal to the male her reproductive status and readiness to mate. 

(2) To ensure successful birth and calf development – Late Pregnant Female

  • In the scenario that the female present was a late pregnant female and about to give birth, this could explain her extended girth, swollen genitals, and even the presence of multiple males around a birthing female. 
  • In this case, we could speculate that the bubbles could stimulate the release of hormones, such as oxytocin, known to be vital in the birthing process.
  • The pressing question is, if this is the correct case, why are males involved and not females? What is in it for the males?

While interpretation of the use of bubbles in our recording and their exact meaning remains speculative, it does show the complex and wide array of bubble use in humpback whales. Future research aimed at understanding the hormonal state of male and female humpbacks within different social groups and situations on breeding grounds should provide the insight needed to determine the correct context for the behavior patterns described here. 

Filed Under: All About Whales, Research News

Business Partner Feature: Sherri Reeve Gallery and Gifts

April 20, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

Weekly Feature: Local Business Partners
As a non-profit organization, we often rely on the generosity of our friends and partners to help support our mission. Now, we feel it’s our time to give back, to recognize and support the small businesses that have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19 and that help support Whale Trust throughout the year. 

Sherri Reeve, Maui Artist
Sherri Reeve Gallery and Gifts (Makawao, Hawaii)

To know Sherri Reeve is to know her generosity. Since the doors of her gallery first opened in 1997, she has supported Whale Trust –and countless other Maui based non-profit organizations — including her beloved Hospice Maui, where she currently serves on the board of directors.

For the last 15 years, Sherri has generously supported Whale Trust through direct contributions, donations of her artwork, donor referrals, and placement in her bestselling annual calendar. But nothing stands out as much as her contributions to Whale Tales that started with her volunteering to teach children to craft whale tails as part of our keiki education programs, and her now iconic role in donating the art for our annual Whale Tales t-shirts.

Sherri grew up on Oahu and has called Maui home since 1989. Her collection, inspired by the colors and scenes of Hawaii, spans more than 25 years, and can be found in private art collections around the world — both as gallery art pieces and in her iconic apparel line.

Please join us in supporting Sherri Reeve Gallery and Gifts by shopping online during this time when her doors have to be closed.

Sherri’s art and apparel can be found online at www.sreeve.com,
including this year’s Whale Tales art featured on her newest addition called “The Singers.”

Visit Sherri Reeve Gallery & Gifts

Mahalo for the color and creativity you paint into our lives and for your generous community support, Sherri! 

Filed Under: Featured 1, Organization News

Humpback Chronicles, Episode 32

November 18, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

Whale Trust Research Photographer Flip Nicklin hosts a weekly talk story about humpback whales and the history of whale research.

This week Flip talks with Ted Cheeseman, Co-Founder and CEO of Happywhale. Happywhale is a citizen science and research collaboration web platform that uses automated image recognition to identify individual humpback whales and has cataloged over 124,000 whale encounters. Upload your photo and find out where your whale has been and where it goes.

Click here to visit happywhale.com

Filed Under: Humpback Chronicles

Humpback Chronicles Episode 27

October 14, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

In this week’s Humpback Chronicles, Flip presents “Whale Windows,” a video from the early 2000s showing Whale Trust’s use of imaging technology to share the wonders and mysteries of humpback behavior.

Send your questions to humpbacks@whaletrust.org!

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Filed Under: Humpback Chronicles

Humpback Chronicles Episode 26

October 7, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

In this week’s Humpback Chronicles, Flip is joined by Whale Trust co-founders Meagan Jones and Jim Darling, and Chairman of the Board Allen Jones to share the story of establishing Whale Trust as a nonprofit research organization in 2001.

Send your questions to humpbacks@whaletrust.org!

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Filed Under: Humpback Chronicles

Humpback Chronicles Episode 25: Lahaina Whale Ohana

September 30, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

In this week’s Humpback Chronicles, Flip is again joined by Tad Luckey and Mike Bennett to share more memories of the early days of the Lahaina whale ohana.

Bonus!

Stay tuned at the end of this week’s Chronicle for the Mike and Tad Show!

Send your questions to humpbacks@whaletrust.org.

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Filed Under: Humpback Chronicles

Humpback Chronicles, Episode 24

September 24, 2020 by Whale Trust Maui

In this week’s Humpback Chronicles, Flip is joined by Tad Luckey and Mike Bennett to share memories from the early 1970s in Lahaina, including the story behind the first whale watch out of Lahaina Harbor!

Send your questions to humpbacks@whaletrust.org!

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Filed Under: Humpback Chronicles

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