A recent study conducted by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts has revealed that the breath of North Atlantic right whales contains significant microbial information related to their health. Using drones, researchers collected spray from the blowholes of these endangered whales and analyzed the bacteria present in the spray. By correlating this bacterial data with other health indicators, they were able to gain insights into the well-being of individual whales.
According to Carolyn Miller, a research associate at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the study’s lead author, this discovery opens up new possibilities for conducting health assessments of these critically endangered animals. With fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remaining globally, factors such as ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear pose significant threats to their population.
Since 2016, the research team has obtained 103 samples from 85 North Atlantic right whales in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts, using drones equipped with petri dishes to capture the whale spray. This innovative method involves flying a drone above a whale as it exhales through its blowhole, collecting the spray on a petri dish, and preserving the sample for analysis upon returning to the pilot on a nearby boat.
While drone-based sample collection is not a new concept, this study marks the first time a direct link has been established between the types of bacteria present in a whale’s breath and its health status. By combining the microbial samples with detailed whale data, including physical characteristics and skin conditions, the researchers identified patterns where thin whales exhibited bacteria associated with infections, while robust whales had bacteria linked to healthy, oil-rich environments.
Miller emphasized that despite the technical challenges of drone-based sample collection, it offers a safer and less invasive alternative to traditional methods, such as approaching whales with long poles. The whales appeared unaffected by the drones, making the process stress-free for the animals.
Experts like Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, praised the study as a groundbreaking approach to understanding and monitoring North Atlantic right whales. This innovative technique could provide valuable insights into the long-term health effects of entanglements and ship strikes on these whales, offering a non-intrusive means of studying their well-being over time.