Scientists Uncover Ocean's Elusive Whales Using Underwater Sound
Science
M
Moneycontrol•05-01-2026, 16:39
Scientists Uncover Ocean's Elusive Whales Using Underwater Sound
- •Researchers are using hydrophones to track beaked whales, some of the ocean's rarest and most mysterious creatures, which are difficult to observe visually due to their deep-diving nature.
- •Underwater microphones capture unique echolocation clicks and squeaks, allowing scientists to identify species, map populations, and understand behaviors without physical encounters.
- •This acoustic monitoring led to the first-ever live sighting of a ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, previously identified only by a rare echolocation pattern (BW43).
- •The method provides crucial data for conservation efforts, helping to protect these whales from threats like military sonar, fishing gear, and shipping by identifying key habitats.
- •Combining acoustic data with genetic sampling confirms species identity, reducing disturbance and building a global database for long-term study and future discoveries of deep-sea species.
Why It Matters: Underwater sound technology is revolutionizing the study and conservation of elusive deep-sea whales.
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