Tagging Humpback Whales in the Colombian Pacific
By tagging humpback whales we will be able to study key elements of their behavior and habitat use
My name is Natalia Botero. Originally from Medellín (Colombia), I am a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern Mississippi as part of the Marine Mammal Behavior and Cognition Lab. I am also a founding member and researcher with Macuáticos Colombia Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and conservation of aquatic mammals in Colombia.
I have been working with humpback whales in the Colombian Pacific since 2010. During that time, my team and I have monitored the spatial distribution and social / acoustic behavior of this species during the breeding season. Also, since 2014, we have collaborated with whale-watching operators to integrate scientific research and environmental education with community-based whale watching.
At this point you might be wondering why this project is important? Within breeding grounds of humpback whales, mother and calf pairs are especially susceptible to anthropogenic impacts due to their preference for shallow, coastal waters, which are also heavily used by coastal communities. Conservation threats include water pollution, vessel collisions, harassment from whale watching vessels, and incidental mortality due to entanglement. Furthermore, in the Gulf of Tribugá, while research efforts have been limited, whale watching operations have continuously expanded. This scenario represents a considerable opportunity to integrate research techniques, which will allow us to obtain information that can improve existing conservation initiatives while overcoming information gaps.
How are the funds going to be used?
The total budget for this project is US$44,850. Approximately US$32,300 corresponds to the cost of ten (10) satellite tags manufactured by Wildlife Computers®. We need your support for the additional expenses typical of fieldwork season. A total of US$5,000 is projected to be spent on fuel for daily boat trips occurring between July and October. The rest of the project’s expenses are limited to the cost of living in the study area during the field season: Housing (US$1,250), Food preparation (US$1,500), Groceries (US$1,000), plane tickets (US$600) and payment for local boat driver and his assistant (US$3,500).
We have some amazing perks to match your generous contribution. They include beautiful handcraft items such as wooden fluke necklaces and beaded bracelets / headbands made by local indigenous artisans. Also, our campaign designed some cool merchandise like coffee mugs, magnets, signed photos, postcards, magnets, t-shirts, baseball hats and a very special copy of the humpback whale song our team has recorded on coastal waters of the Gulf of Tribugá.
You can also help our project by sharing this campaign on the social media: Facebook, twitter, google+, you name it! So, please don’t forget that even the smallest actions can set a powerful movement in motion!! Thank you for your time and contribution, in whatever shape or form!