A note on the release and tracking of a rehabilitated pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)
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Published source details
Scott M.D., Hohn A.A., Westgate A.J., Nicolas J.R., Whitaker B.R. & Campbell W.B. (2001) A note on the release and tracking of a rehabilitated pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 3, 87-94.
Published source details Scott M.D., Hohn A.A., Westgate A.J., Nicolas J.R., Whitaker B.R. & Campbell W.B. (2001) A note on the release and tracking of a rehabilitated pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management, 3, 87-94.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals Action Link |
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Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals
A study in 1993–1994 of a pelagic area in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Florida, USA (Scott et al. 2001) found that a stranded pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps that was rehabilitated and released back into the wild survived for at least four days. The female pygmy sperm whale was successfully tracked for four days after release before contact was lost with the transmitter. During that time, the whale travelled at least 425 km at an average speed of 5.5 km/h and made regular dives. In November 1993, the whale (aged 12–18 months old) was found stranded and in poor health and taken to a rehabilitation facility. Pieces of plastic were removed from the whale’s stomach. In May 1994, the whale was transferred to an outdoor tank close to the release site for 25 days before being radio-tagged and released 65 km offshore. The whale was tracked every 30 minutes and observed daily from a vessel during four days in May–June 1994.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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