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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

Mystery Sounds Recorded Near Humpback Whales off Maui, Hawaii

December 7, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

Photo by Jason Sturgis - NOAA permit #13846
Photo by Jason Sturgis – NOAA permit #13846

(Maui, Hawaii) December 7, 2015 – “Imagine a heartbeat,” says Dr. Jim Darling, Research Biologist of Whale Trust Maui, describing the series of low frequency sounds known as “pulse trains” he recorded near humpback whales off the coast of Maui, Hawaii. These mysterious sounds are the subject of a recently published paper in the Journal of Acoustic Society of America (JASA), the result of studies supported Whale Trust and the National Geographic Society.

At around 40 Hz, the sounds are much lower frequency than typical humpback whale sounds (80-4000Hz). While other large whales and some land mammals such as elephants are known to use very low frequency sounds (even infrasounds below human hearing) this is the first report of their potential existence in humpbacks.

Just above the lower threshold of human hearing (20 Hz), these sounds can be easily masked by ocean waves, vessel noise or the more typical sounds of nearby humpbacks during their busy winter assembly off Maui. Darling describes them as “ethereal” and difficult to hear except on exceptionally quiet, calm days at sea.

If these mysterious sounds can be conclusively linked to the humpbacks, this would add a whole new dimension to the already complex repertoire found in this species’ communication.

“The first time I heard them, or realized I heard them, was in 2005 when recording social sounds from an active group of eight whales,” explained Darling. “Although I have recorded samples since, it took a long and particularly good recording of a male-female pair in 2013, to convince me they were real.”

Humpback whales are well-known for singing long, complex songs, for shorter grunts groans, whistles and throbs called “social sounds”, and even for sounds resulting from physical slaps made by flukes and flippers or bubble trains. Separate underwater video taken at the same time as the 2013 sound recording showed no bubble production or other behaviors that might provide a ready explanation.

Recorded only a few times each year off Maui over the last decade, Darling cautions that while we cannot be 100% certain the humpbacks produced these sounds, on this last instance, they were recorded within 100 meters of the whales. Any fluctuation in volume appeared to match the whales’ approach to the boat, and no other species of whales were known to be in the area at the time.

Adds Darling, “We have a long way to go on understanding this – but its does remind of us of how very, very little we know about these animals.”

Dr. Jim Darling will be one of the renowned featured presenters at Whale Trust’s 10th Annual Whale Tales educational event, held from February 12th – 15th, 2016 at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui. Darling will share his latest findings into the similarities and differences of humpback whale songs across the Pacific Ocean. Presentations are free and open to the public.


About Whale Trust Maui

Whale Trust Maui is a Maui-based non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, support, and conduct scientific research on whales and the marine environment, and broadly communicate the findings to the public. Research led by Whale Trust Maui scientists has been featured in documentaries on the BBC, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic International, National Public Radio, the Today show, PBS, NHK (Japanese National Broadcasting) and in National Geographic magazine (1999, 2007). The team is also featured in the IMAX film Humpback Whales 3D (2015).

For more information visit: https://whaletrust.org

LINK to full research article: http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/jasa/138/5/10.1121/1.4935070

To schedule an interview with Whale Trust Maui, please contact us.

Filed Under: Press, Research News

The Life of a Newborn Humpback Whale

December 3, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Maui, Hawaii - Notice must accompany publication: Photo obtained under NMFS Permit
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Maui, Hawaii – Notice must accompany publication: Photo obtained under NMFS Permit

Newborn Whales

Humpback babies are born into some of the most beautiful water in the world—the warm, glimmering blues of the subtropics. Typically 4 to 5 meters in length, they are, like any baby animal, cute, endearing and a little out of control. They spend most of their first few weeks traveling with their mothers as they navigate through encounters with one or many males. They alternate between bouts of energetic flipping and flopping around the mother, then resting quietly tucked under her flipper or chin, or riding (slipstreaming) above her mouth. They have challenges with coordination and diving. Sometimes they cannot reach the depths where their moms are resting and end up flopping back to the surface, floating up tail first. Often the calf will twirls its body and swim upside down.

They are also very curious. They have no fear of boats or researchers, with mothers often having to retrieve them from their explorations. While their curiosity makes them fun to watch and easy to interact with, it also puts them at risk for collisions which is one of the reasons it is so important to practice safe boating practices while whale watching.

Newborn Behaviors

Resting

Mothers with a young calf are often found resting. Typically, the mother lies in a horizontal position approximately 15 to 50 feet deep and the calf will position itself directly below the mother’s chin or tucked under a flipper. The calf needs to breathe at shorter intervals than the mother and therefore rises to the surface alone every few minutes to blow and inhale three or four times while swimming in a circular pattern above its mom. The calf then dives back down to its mother. There is frequent touching between mother and calf.

Nursing

Though grown humpbacks feed only in the summer feeding grounds, calves must feed in Hawaii and rely entirely on their mother’s milk. Calves nurse throughout their first winter, and through much of their first year of life. They can nurse either stationary or while moving—a skill that serves them well when migrating. The process of weaning is believed to begin between six and ten months of age on the summer feeding grounds, where more solid food is taken, and ends with separation from the mother after the first feeding season.

Play

Like other baby mammals, newborn humpbacks love to play! Mimicry of the mother, or the male escort, is common newborn behavior in Hawaii and includes breaches, spy hops, tail throws and other common adult behaviors. They also play with objects in their environment such as sticks, boats or even a diver! They do now, however, play with each other, and seem to be prohibited from doing so by their mothers.

 

Filed Under: All About Whales

Volunteer Spotlight: Sophie Greeno

October 10, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

Sophie Green at Whale Tales
Sophie Green at Whale Tales

At Whale Trust we are lucky to have the most dedicated, hard working and loyal supporters an organization could ask for. Sophie Greeno is no exception to this rule. From pre-event planning meetings, to spreading the word about the work we do to jumping in last minute to do whatever is needed during the hectic Whale Tales weekend, Sophie is always willing to be an advocate and true supporter of Whale Trust.

We are truly grateful for her support, dedication and passion for the work we do. Thank you Sophie!

Filed Under: Supporter Spotlight

When is the Best Time to See Whales?

October 8, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

 

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Photo by Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures


As humpbacks winter in their native home of Hawaii, they are most abundant from mid-December through early April, with peak numbers in February and March.
[Read more…] about When is the Best Time to See Whales?

Filed Under: All About Whales, Whale Watching

Calving: How Humpbacks Are Born

September 3, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) friendly cow and calf, Maui, Hawaii Notice must accompany published photo - photo obtained under NMFS permit #987
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) friendly cow and calf, Maui, Hawaii Notice must accompany published photo – photo obtained under NMFS permit #987

Humpback Births

Despite the tens of thousands of whale-watch hours each season, as well as the presence of multiple researchers for over thirty years, a birth has not been documented. At the same time, the following evidence support the assumption that humpbacks do give birth during the migration and winter months in Hawaii: 1. Studies from whaling operations clearly show that term fetuses and birth coincide in winter months; 2. In Hawaii, observations of tiny calves with folded dorsal fins and crease marks (clearly within days if not hours of birth) are common; 3. A humpback whale placenta was found in Hawaii shortly after a very young calf appeared beside an adult; 4. One study reported the sighting of a photo-identified female without a calf on January 31 (1981) and with a calf seventeen days later on February 16 (1981), indicating a birth had occurred.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) mother and calf, Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Maui, Hawaii. Notice must accompany publication Photo obtained under N.M.F.S. Permit #753
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) mother and calf, Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Maui, Hawaii. Notice must accompany publication Photo obtained under N.M.F.S. Permit #753

The Mom/Calf Relationship

Since the birth of a humpback whale has not been documented, the specific behavior patterns of the mother immediately before, during and after birth are not known. It is likely that the mother’s behavior is geared towards rest, nursing and protection of the young. The last of these tasks may have three fronts: 1. Avoiding, or at least controlling, interactions with sexually active males; 2. Avoiding interactions with other mothers with a calf and; 3. Guarding against potential predators. These three goals may account for much of the behavior of mother/calf pairs such as their frequent travel and their tendency to stick to the shallow, inshore waters, ostensibly to avoid harassment from males and predators.

Despite our limited knowledge, it is obvious that the bond between mother and calf is a close one. Calves rely on their mothers for food and protection and are rarely seen far away from them. They accompany their mothers across the North Pacific to distant feeding grounds and it is not until a year after their birth, either on their migration back to the breeding grounds or once arrived, that the maternal bond is broken between the mother and now juvenile whale.

 

 

Filed Under: All About Whales

Grammy Award-Winning Musician John Cruz Helps Raise $30,000 For Whale Trust

September 1, 2015 by Whale Trust Maui

Grammy winner John Cruz, friend, Whale Trust co-founder and executive director Meagan Jones, and Lumeria Maui General Manager Douglas Wilson Drummond at Benefit event for Whale Trust Maui
Grammy winner John Cruz, Deborah Bassett, Whale Trust co-founder and executive director Meagan Jones, and Lumeria Maui General Manager Douglas Drummond at Benefit event for Whale Trust Maui

August 15th was a night to remember for those attending Whale Trust’s sold-out summer benefit at Lumeria Maui. With musical performances by Sierra Carrère, Grammy-winner John Cruz, and special guest Mick Fleetwood – great fun was had by all!

Over 50 local businesses and artists contributed to this special evening that helped raise nearly $30,000 for Whale Trust’s research and education programs.

Special thanks to Lumeria Maui, Fleetwood’s on Front Street, John Cruz, Sierra Carrère and all of our many sponsors, guests, and dedicated volunteers. 

Mick Fleetwood and Carlos Garcia on percussion
Mick Fleetwood and Carlos Garcia on percussion

 

Filed Under: Events, Organization News

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