The purpose of monitoring right whales using aerial surveys is two-fold. Aerial surveys provide vital information to wildlife managers on right whale calving distribution and most importantly the location of these slow-moving animals. The largest threats to the right whale population are human-related, including ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Wildlife Trust works to minimize the risk to these animals by locating right whales during daily aerial surveys from November through April and reporting locations to military and commercial shipping traffic to mitigate potential ship strikes. "Right whales are slow-moving, especially when accompanied by a calf, and they have a broad, flat back that makes it difficult for vessels to see them when they are at the surface of the water. During our daily aerial surveys, we get a bird's eye view of the whales and the shipping traffic offshore and we are able to report on the whereabouts of these amazing creatures in relation to the shipping traffic, said Cynthia Taylor, Director of Aquatic Programs and Senior Research Scientist at Wildlife Trust. Aerial flights are conducted three to four days a week during the best weather conditions and the team will log in an average 400 hours of flight time at the conclusion of calving season.
Wildlife Trust has conducted right whale surveys in the Southeast U.S. for over six years to ensure the protection and recovery of the species. "With fewer than 400 right whales remaining in the population every whale is vital to the survival of this critically endangered species," said Dr. Mary C. Pearl, President of Wildlife Trust. SCSPA has pledged up to $200,000 per year for the next five years so Wildlife Trust can continue this important work. The surveys will provide valuable information through location and photo-identification of right whales and possibly location information for humpback whales and leatherback sea turtles as well.
About Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Trust empowers local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. Wildlife Trust is a conservation science innovator and leverages research expertise through strategic global alliances. Wildlife Trust pioneered the field of Conservation Medicine, a new discipline that addresses the link between ecological disruption of habitats and the effects on wildlife, livestock and human health.
Founded in 1971 by British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, Wildlife Trust has built its reputation on 35 years of global research, education, training and experience. Work in the United States includes research, conservation, and training programs in the metropolitan New York area, Florida and along the coast of the Southeastern U.S.
Internationally, Wildlife Trust trains and supports a network of scientists around the world to save endangered species and their habitats and to protect the health of vital ecosystems. Wildlife Trust created the first egalitarian international network of science-based conservation organizations, the Wildlife Trust Alliance, and is a founding partner organization of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, a unique collaboration between Wildlife Trust and prestigious academic institutions around the world. To learn more please go to www.wildlifetrust.org.
About The South Carolina State Ports Authority
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston and Georgetown, handling international commerce valued at $55 billion annually.
Contacts:
Anthony M. Ramos
Wildlife Trust
Tel: 212.380.4469
ramos@wildlifetrust.org
Byron D. Miller
South Carolina State Ports Authority
Tel: 843.577.8121
bmiller@scspa.com
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