Prey sharing strategies of a threatened killer whale revealed through aerial imagery

To best conserve highly social species, conservation managers must consider how resources are distributed between group members. Northern Resident killer whales are listed as threatened and prey limitation is considered one of their primary threats. These whales share their limited prey with each other, and this prey sharing is central to their unusually stable social system. Recent advancements in aerial imagery technologies, particularity through drones, have expanded our knowledge of cetacean behaviour. While prey sharing has been described in Resident killer whales, examining this behaviour from an aerial perspective could offer new insights into how killer whales allocate resources. This project aims at 1) investigating prey sharing strategies in Northern Resident killer whales through aerial imagery analysis, 2) informing conservation measures by bringing the best available science to decision-makers, and 3) inspiring the North Island community members to protect Resident killer whales through the organization of educational community events.

Faculty Supervisor:

Chris Darimont

Student:

Partner:

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program: