Whale researchers are taking to the sky to study the gray whale migration that is currently underway off the coast of California. The whale research team is conducting aerial surveys from a twin otter plane to capture photos of the gray whales that are swimming south on their annual migration from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to their winter calving areas in warmer waters off the coast of Baja California and in the Gulf of California. These surveys are a non-invasive way to assess the body condition of gray whales in order to gain valuable information about their reproductive and nutritional status.
Recent press coverage:
Channel 10 ABC News/San Diego – Researchers track whale migration from sky
San Diego Union Tribune – Whale migration seen from the air
San Diego Union Tribune – Early whale migration creates a splash
To learn more about eastern North Pacific gray whale research, please check out the following links:
Aerial photos by Wayne Perryman
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| Gray whales |
Gray whale with calf |