Microorganisms detected in the exhalations of North Atlantic right whales provide valuable health insights, according to a recent study. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts utilized drones to capture spray from the blowholes of these endangered whales. By examining the bacteria in the spray and correlating it with additional data, they were able to enhance their understanding of individual whale health statuses.
Carolyn Miller, a research associate at WHOI and the lead author of the study published in the journal International Society for Microbial Ecology, expressed enthusiasm about the potential for using this method as a way to monitor the health of these critically endangered whales. There are currently fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales in existence, facing threats such as collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear.
Since implementing the drone technique in 2016, the WHOI researchers have collected 103 samples from 85 North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The process involves flying a drone equipped with a petri dish above a whale to capture its breath as it exhales through the blowhole. The collected spray is then swabbed from the dish, preserved for future analysis, and linked to the health status of the respective whale.
While using drones to gather samples is not a new practice, this study marks the first instance where the types of bacteria found in each whale’s breath are associated with their health conditions. By combining microbial samples with detailed imaging and existing data on aspects like body condition, skin health, and presence of whale lice, the researchers identified correlations between certain bacteria and whale health indicators.
According to Miller, the drone-based collection method, though challenging to execute, is safer and less intrusive compared to previous techniques that required researchers to approach the whales closely on boats with long poles. The whales appear undisturbed by the drones during sample collection, as they are quiet, stable, and inconspicuous.
Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, praised the study as an innovative approach that offers valuable insights into North Atlantic right whale health. He highlighted the importance of this non-invasive method for monitoring whales over time, especially those that have endured past injuries from entanglements or vessel strikes.
The study’s findings suggest a promising avenue for ongoing health assessments of North Atlantic right whales, offering a unique perspective on their well-being through microbial analysis of their exhalations.