Posts by George Berry
Whale fossil from Peru may have been heavier than blue whale
Scientists examining the bones of a 39 million-year-old ancient whale have concluded that it may have been heavier than a blue whale, up to now thought to be the heaviest creature ever to have lived on Earth. The fossils of the whale , known as a basilosaurid, were discovered 13 years ago in southern Peru…
Read MoreHumpback whales breach in synchronisation
Humpback whales are renowned for their incredible acrobatic displays, but a family in the USA were treated to a particularly amazing experience when three humpbacks breached in perfect synchronisation in front of them. The video was taken off Cape Cod in the Gulf of Maine which humpbacks visit each year in order to feed during…
Read MoreUnusual activity witnessed before pilot whale stranding
Just days after a pod of long-finned pilot whales stranded on an island in the Hebrides in Scotland, another stranding event involving the same species occurred on the other side of the world in Western Australia. Around 100 whales stranded on a remote stretch of coastline over 450km south east of Perth. There are various…
Read MoreOrca calf dies in China
The second calf of an orca known as Cookie, held in captivity at the Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park dolphinarium in China, has died shortly after being born. It was only in September 2021 that Cookie gave birth to her first calf, which went on display to the public back in June 2022. Cookie was captured…
Read MoreNew report by Deloitte and WDC does a deep dive into the opportunities for businesses in embracing oceanic biodiversity
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and Deloitte have released a new report that shines a light on the risks and opportunities for four key sectors – shipping, food retail, financial services and tourism – operating in the ocean economy. Launched on World Oceans Day (June 8th), the report highlights the key role that whales and…
Read MoreNew report on Icelandic hunts reveals whale can take two hours to die
Fin whale with unexploded grenade harpoon embedded in his or her side. © Hard To Port A new report by the Icelandic government exploring welfare concerns around its own fin whale hunts has revealed that some of those killed can take as long as two hours to die. But the hunts may well be allowed…
Read MoreUN adopts High Seas Treaty to protect the ocean
At the UN ‘High Seas Treaty’ negotiations in New York, a historic vote for the protection of the ocean took place at the weekend. After two weeks of intensive talks, the UN member states have agreed on the final text of a High Seas Treaty. Most of the world’s oceans are international waters. These so-called…
Read MoreOrca Nakai dies at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego has announced the death of the orca Nakai. The 20-year-old male orca was born at the facility in 2001. According to the facility, Nakai died on August 4 of an infection, after “aggressive therapeutic and diagnostic efforts were unsuccessful.” Nakai was the first orca to be born as a result of artificial…
Read MoreLast captive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin to be freed in South Korea
Bibongi, the last Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin held in captivity in South Korea, is to be returned to the wild after 17 years. The country’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on August 3rd that it was to begin preparations for the male dolphin’s eventual release, which includes a period of training him for life back…
Read MoreFin whales return to old feeding grounds in Southern Ocean
An exciting discovery by researchers in the waters around Antarctica suggest that fin whales are starting to return to their former feeding grounds. During the first part of the 20th century, commercial whaling decimated whale numbers in the region as whalers reduced populations to a fraction of their original figure. By the time it become…
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