Proposed loan to the male and female orca from Chiba Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium

Female killer whale "Nami" Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium have (Minato-ku, Nagoya), and Kamogawa Sea World (Kamogawa, Chiba Prefecture) for five years from January next year, offering to lend a head for each male and female reproductive purposes found that. Breeding conditions for a well-appointed female head of a male would give more, increasing expectations of II was born in Nagoya.
　SeaWorld killer whale length 6.5 m, weight 4 tons male "Bingo" (estimated 28 years) and 5.2 m in length, female weight 2 tons of "Stella" (the age of 24.)
　Borrowing is expected to charge less than 5 billion over five years. Leased in parliament to discuss the November regular administration of the Partnership, which operates the Port of Nagoya Aquarium. Between bingo and Stella have a child already born. If the contract is expected to include a child is born a leader to the terms of receiving Morai aquarium.
　Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium in 2003, a female orca from the Taiji Whale Museum, Wakayama Prefecture, "Ku" is borrowed for a fee, and died 08 September 1993. Nami (estimated 27) from 5 billion to buy the museum, and since June has been raised.

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/national/news/CK2010103002000015.html

Investigation confirmed students excited about living off the herd of killer whale Kushiro

Investigation confirmed students excited about living off the herd of killer whale Kushiro(10/07 14:24)

Students who appeared before the killer whales from a boat off the coast of Kushiro survey (courtesy of students)
　Kushiro - Communication Arts - Oosaka was investigating the marine life off the coast of Kushiro (OCA) and the Fukuoka Eco Communication College (FEC) has 05 students, and nearly 15 headorcaherd was confirmed. Students "want to tell people that the country has wonderful sea off the coast of Kushiro nurture a killer whale," he said with an expression of excitement.

　Both schools have a course to train and major marine aquarium staff survey in 2003 off the coast of Kushiro. 05,06,07 In the pastorcas11to check the habitat. September 29 this year - a total of 10 students participated in the five-day schedule. Marine researcher who make "Kamata is set" (represented琴絵Sasamori) with assistance. Hazama Shika two days could not study bad weather was the last day of five days.

　Students from around 6:30 am, leave the mouth of the Kushiro River. Around 8:30 am, including three dogs found a flock of about 30 kilometers southeast off Kushiro child was observed approximately 5 hours. The herd was moved to 18 kilometers from the port of Kushiro and also other puns about the ship.

　Nakata Hiroe OCA's (18) is "an adultkiller whale11was moved to pay attention to her child, "reminisces. FEC's Miya Yoshi Koga (18) "I felt must continue to protect the marine environment inhabited by Kushiro biodiversity," he said. (Via Township Sawa Yanagi)

http://www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/news/chiiki3/254551.html

A Casualty of Ida

On Tuesday, November 10 2009, in the aftermath of hurricane Ida, a male, juvenile Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was found stranded on a remote beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Local officials contacted the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS), the designated marine mammal stranding response organization for the area. Upon arrival, the IMMS team found the 190 lb. dolphin stranded 150 yards from the water line. It was estimated that the dolphin had been out of the water for at least 4 hours but his vital signs were stable. Without blood testing, there was no way to accurately assess the health of the dolphin. Because he was lethargic and very weak, IMMS’s attending veterinarian, Dr. Connie Chevis determined that the dolphin should be transported to the Center for Marine Education and Research for a thorough examination and monitoring.

After collecting numerous medical diagnostic samples, it was determined that the dolphin, named “Moke” (Hawaiian for “saved from the sea”) was suffering from stomach and respiratory problems, which most likely led to his stranding. Moke was placed in a temporary quarantine pool so that he could be treated medically, and monitored 24 hours a day for the first week of his rehabilitation. Moke’s health continued to improve, and so did his appetite! His diet of capelin and herring ranged anywhere from 12 pounds to 17 pounds of fish each day. Dr. Chevis was able to successfully treat all of Moke’s health problems, but there was still concern about his future due to his young age. Many juvenile dolphins are determined to be non-releasable by NOAA Fisheries, because of their young age and the uncertainty of their skill development for foraging, defense, and socialization in the wild.

When the final decision was made to deem Moke non-releasable, he was moved into a larger pool and the Animal Care staff at IMMS began training him several times a day. Moke was very smart and caught on to things quickly. Due to the oil spill and to provide Moke with a companion, he was sent to the Navy’s marine mammal facility in San Diego, CA where he is doing very well.

http://www.imms.org/rescue_nov_2009.php

Baby beluga whale goes on exhibit at SeaWorld

Baby beluga whale goes on exhibit at SeaWorld

BY MICHAEL STETZ

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 AT 3:29 P.M.

/ MIKE AGUILERA, SEAWORLD

The baby beluga whale swims with her surrogate mom, Allua.

What a difference a few months make when it comes to a baby beluga whale. She now tips the scales at 215 pounds and is on exhibit at SeaWorld.

She made her debut Friday.

SeaWorld officials say she's playful and curious and enjoying her surroundings at the park's Wild Arctic exhibit.

Born June 23, she was abandoned by her mother. As luck would have it another female, Allua, took over mothering duties.

She has since thrived. She's been exploring the exhibit with Allua and Ferdinand, a male beluga whale

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/15/baby-beluga-whale-goes-on-exhibit-at-seaworld/

Kohana gives birth to the First Spanish Orca

We like crazy. Kohana has given birth this morning a beautiful baby-killer in OrcaOcean facilities. Is an important day and we are very happy.

After four hours of labor at first breeding Spanish Canary Island of dawn came into the world with 150 kilos of weight and two meters long. A team of veterinarians, biologists, coaches and experts watched a close eye to detail. Moments later instinctively swam to the surface and made his first breath to the astonishment of all excited.

Kohana, born eight years ago at the Sea Park Word of San Antonio (USA), is the youngest first-time mother of history in this type of delivery. As happens to many mothers in the animal kingdom has not yet established maternal bond with her young male, so you get a supply of support from experts carers.

Wolfgang Kiessling recalled this morning excited to "our very dear and beloved ex-president de Canarias, Adán Martín," which inaugurated the OrcaOcean in 2006 and "had enjoyed a lot with this birth.

http://blog.loroparque.com/primera-orca-espanola/ [With Video]

Killer whale born at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld has a new baby: a killer whale born tonight.

Katina, a 34-year-old female, gave birth to her seventh calf tonight at 7:28 p.m., a SeaWorld spokesman said.

The great-grandmother went into labor at 6:47 p.m. and delivered a 7-foot-long, 350-pound calf. It swam to the surface moments later for its first breath, the park said.

Mother and calf are bonding, and veterinarians and caretakers are making sure the baby starts to nurse, park spokesman Nick Gollattscheck said. The sex of the calf won't be known for a while.

Tonight's news was welcome for the Orlando theme park, where the firstborn of Katina's calves, Kalina, 25, died suddenly on Monday. Results of a necropsy could take up to six weeks. In June, Taima, a 20-year-old female, died at the park giving birth to a stillborn calf.

The new calf's father is Tilikum, a 12,000-pound male who in February drowned a SeaWorld trainer in front of park patrons. The death made national news.

According to an online profile, Katina is the most successful whale mother in captivity and the oldest orca at SeaWorld Orlando.

The newest calf is the 16th born at SeaWorld Orlando and the 27th at all three SeaWorld parks in the U.S.

source: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-10-10/news/os-sea-world-killer-whale-born-20101009_1_killer-whale-seaworld-review-killer-whale

NOTE: Here are two videos of the births and the moments after. =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1kuByj9Fdw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TcTw2a7FQo

Dolphin found in northern Jutland

Animal makes a rare appearance in the Danish waters

A dead dolphin was found on Grenen at Skagen, the northernmost point in Denmark. Dolphins are a rare guest in the Danish waters. The dolphin was 2.15 meters long and will now be picked up by the Zoological Museum for further investigation.

Until then, there are reportedly good possibilities to see the dolphin, which is currently placed on the sand some 500 meters from the tip of Grenen.

source: http://www.cphpost.dk/news/local/87-local/50171-dolphin-found-in-northern-jutland.html

Humpback whale and calf in Sydney harbour frolick

WHALE watchers in Sydney were treated to a special sight this morning - a humpback whale mother and calf playing inside the harbour.

Jonas Liebschner from whalewatchingsydney.net said the pair were swimming around in circles, tailslapping and breaching for 40 minutes or so.

After their harbour frolick they headed out of the Heads again.

source: http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2010/10/06/1225934/896198-whale-sydney-harbour.jpg

Pregnant blue whale found dead on beach

Researchers are trying to figure out what happened to a pregnant blue whale that washed up on the beach at Bean Hollow State Park in San Mateo County. The massive, 85-foot whale was found washed up on the beach on Monday, with her male fetus just 50 feet away.

"And then to have the fetus over there, it's really unusual," says park ranger Frank Balthis.

The whole scene is extraordinary. The last time a dead blue whale came to shore in this area was more than 30 years ago. Normally, the only way to see a blue whale is during a whale watching trip in the open ocean. They're too big to hold in captivity and the only blue whale skeletons on display in the state, are in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara.

"I have always wanted to see the biggest animal that's ever lived. It's quite a specimen," says naturalist Jeff Parry.

"It's a rare event, especially to see one, a female -- and a very big female -- and then one that is carrying a fetus, that makes it even more special and unusual," says Pacifica resident Paul Jones. Someone spotted the carcasses floating in the water on Saturday. U.C. Santa Cruz researchers got their first up close look on Monday, once the bodies came up on the beach.

Preliminarily, scientists don't think the female died naturally. Because she's so healthy, they think a ship's propeller may be to blame, but it'll be several days before they know for sure. "It's upside down, so if a ship hit it, we can't see the back to know to look for a wound of that. It's so large you can't move it and so it's real difficult to tell," says Balthis.

Blue whale calves are born after 12 months and this fetus was only six months old. The whale was likely swimming south to Baja California for the winter. According to state rangers, the scientists will take tissue samples of the whale and also do a necropsy to figure out how she died.

After that, no one is going to remove the bodies because the whale itself is just too big, so the plan is to let nature take its course. Animals in the water will eventually break down the carcasses, even though that will take several months. The ranger says that he doesn't expect that to be a problem because that part of the beach where the whale is isn't very popular.

source: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=7708760

Video at link.

Researchers testing effects of sound waves on whales

Groundbreaking research is underway on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to find out how humpback whales react to sound waves from undersea oil and gas exploration. More than 50 whale researchers from 14 countries are conducting a five week study at Peregian Beach.

Dr Michael Noad from the University of Queensland says researchers are using seismic airguns to fire compressed air into the ocean. "What we're really interested in is working out whether these noises really annoy the whales," he said. "If they do annoy the whales how can we change the way the oil industry use these things so that they annoy the whales less.

"It's about better management and outcomes for the whales."

source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/05/3029860.htm?section=justin

SeaWorld’s killer whale Kalina dies unexpectedly

Kalina swims with Baby Shamu, the calf she birthed in 1999. When this photo was taken on June 23, 1999, Baby Shamu weighed about 350 pounds and measured 7 feet long and had begun nursing. (Photo by Steve Szerdy, SeaWorld Orlando)

From SeaWorld Orlando:

SeaWorld officials report that Kalina, a 25-year-old killer whale at the Orlando theme park, died Monday, Oct. 4, after a sudden illness.

A necropsy will be performed, but the cause of her unexpected death likely will not be known for as long as six weeks.

According to park veterinarians, Kalina showed no signs of illness as recently as Friday and had good appetite on Sunday, Oct. 3. She began showing signs of discomfort Monday afternoon and died suddenly in the early evening.

Kalina was SeaWorld’s first successful birth in the park’s breeding program; she was born Sept. 26, 1985, to Katina. In 2004, Kalina gave birth to her fourth calf.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_lifestyle_animal/2010/10/seaworlds-killer-whale-kalina-dies-unexpectedly.html

Aqualand announces birth of baby dolphin Waka

Aqualand Costa Adeje has proudly announced the birth of a new baby dolphin. The baby, called Waka, is a female who was born last Friday, 27 August, in the dophinarium. She is the offspring of Gara, a 24-year-old dolphin who has given birth twice before. The calving was a complete success, Aqualand says, adding that it is the fifth birth in the centre in the last fourteen years, making Aqualand Costa Adeje one of the foremost centres for dolphin births in Europe.

The new arrival weighs 12 kilos and measures 1.10 metres long, is extremely active and in excellent health. It took just four hours for her to be suckling well and she is now swimming constantly alongside her mother.

Gara and her baby have been accompanied at all times by mum’s friend, the dolphin Yemaya and her own male baby Aitami, who was born last summer in the same park. As soon as little Waka and Gara herself are transferred to the principal pool, visitors will be able to see them both.

Aqualand Costa Adeje, along with Jungle Park, are the two attractions of the the Aspro Group in Tenerife.


Video at link.

source: http://www.janetanscombe.com/news/aqualand-proud-to-announce-birth-of-baby-dolphin-waka.html

Hopes raised for orca population

TWO “TEENAGE” killer whales recently sighted off the southwest coast may be new visitors to these waters, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

The pair of orcas were filmed some 5km south of Skellig Michael late last week during an inshore survey sponsored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Identification records show they are not members of a Scottish pod of killer whales that have frequented this coastline over recent years, according to the whale and dolphin group’s sightings co-ordinator Pádraig Whooley.

“It’s a very hopeful sign, as the Scottish group has not reproduced and is in danger of dying out, whereas this pair could be part of a breeding group,” he says.

A survey team comprising members of Mr Whooley’s group and researchers from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology was working off the Kerry coast as part of a wildlife service-funded cetacean monitoring project off the Atlantic seaboard when it came across the pair.

Surveyor Conor Ryan spotted the “distinctive blow followed by that unmistakable dorsal fin”, Mr Whooley said, and a second animal was seen in the area several minutes later.

“On occasions, one of the killer whales crossed our bow within 2m of the vessel, while another swam just beneath the surface, keeping a parallel course with us, clearly showing their distinctive ‘tuxedo’ pattern,” Mr Whooley said.

“Having witnessed them in places as exotic as British Columbia, Argentina, Chile . . . and Cork harbour, seeing them at such close quarters in Irish waters really helps reinvigorate one’s commitment to marine conservation.”

Some 14 validated sightings of killer whales were recorded this year in Irish waters, the whale and dolphin group says. Many of these are part of the Scottish pod.

A sample of images recorded last week was sent to Scottish researcher Andy Foote at the University of Aberdeen, who confirmed the animals had not previously been catalogued in the northeast Atlantic. The pair are known as “sprouters”, or sub-adults, Mr Whooley explained. His account of the encounter is published on www.iwdg.ie

Well-known diver and film-maker Monty Halls, who has been working with the group in Connemara while filming a BBC television series, will give a free talk, Capturing Giants: Filming whales, sharks and dolphins around the world on October 7th at GMIT in Galway at 8pm.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0930/1224279988088.html

Top predators found in Irish waters

You may not expect to see killer whales in Irish waters but 14 have been spotted so far this year.

They have been seen off the north Antrim coast and just recently two were sighted off Kerry.

Porrig Whooley is co-ordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin group.

He said the public have nothing to fear from these "apex predators" who have no natural "enemies" in the wild.

"You probably have nothing to worry about unless you're a herring," he said.

"There is no documentary evidence, despite all the works of pure fiction and some very dodgy movies. "There's no evidence at all that killer whales pose any threat whatsoever to people or to people in boats," he added.

'Big, big dolphins'

Mr Wholley said it was important to remember that killer whales are just "big, big dolphins". While most eat fish some are partial to a more substantial meal.

"There is evidence that some of these killers whales, especially those that have been coming across from Scottish waters, some of them have actually been seen attacking and killing Minke whales, so they are like a pack animal and some of them are meat eaters as opposed to fish eaters but that doesn't mean they pose any threat."

Irish waters are home to 24 species of whales and dolphins and killer whales are just one of them. "They have a global distribution, they're found in all oceans of the world, so its not surprising that in our rich, abundant and clean Atlantic waters, we have killer whales," said Mr Wholley.

He said their "apex predator" status meant there were relatively few sightings in Irish waters. "If you think of any top predator, there's never loads of them, they're always very patchy in distribution and that's the exact same with killer whales. "They turn up just when you least expect them."

'Dopey Dick'

Mr Wholley said there was a "fantastic history" with killer whales in Northern Irish waters.

"There was a famous animal that was nick named 'Dopey Dick' who swam right into Lough Foyle and spent three or four days swimming around the walled city of Derry and that was back in 1977."

Anyone lucky enough to spot a killer whale in Northern Irish waters can report the sighting to Northern Ireland Environment Agency, who are responsible for co-ordinating citation sightings in NI waters.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin group can be contacted for sightings in waters in the Republic of Ireland.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11450365

Beached whale saved in Taipei County

A dwarf sperm whale found beached in Taipei County's Wanli Township Sept. 29 has been safely transported by a fishing boat back into the open seas for release.

Coast Guard patrolmen and local firefighters rushed to the scene around noon upon receiving word of the beached whale. They used wet blankets and sheets to keep the whale wet, all the while splashing ocean water on it. Chen De-qin, a veterinarian from Yehliu Ocean World, took the whale's pulse, after which he drew blood and then delivered nutrients to the mammal through an intravenous drip.

Taipei County Animal Disease Control Center veterinarian Zhou Jin-quan also rushed to the scene to confirm that the mammal was indeed a dwarf sperm whale. Zhou said that the three-meter-long whale, weighing in at over 200 kilograms, likely suffered from what was similar to heat stroke due to the relatively high water temperatures near the shore. He said cooler water temperatures and ample amounts of fish in the high seas should enable the whale to recover.

source: http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=120208&ctNode=445

Activists cut dolphin net

JAPANESE - police have launched an investigation after nets of holding pens for dolphins were found to have been cut during an annual traditional hunt, news reports said yesterday.

Investigators enquiring into the damage to property were looking into a statement claiming responsibility on the website of European conservation organisation Black Fish. The group said on Monday its divers cut open the nets of six pens holding dolphins caught since the hunt started on September 2 in the village of Taiji in south-western Japan.

A number of the trapped animals were able to swim back out to sea, the Black Fish statement said. But major daily Yomiuri reported yesterday that no dolphins escaped. The tiny remote village in Japan drew increasing international attention after 2009 US documentary The Cove described the annual traditional dolphin hunt.

Richard O’Barry, an activist who campaigns to protect dolphins, submitted a petition with 1.7 million signatures against the practice to the US embassy in Tokyo in early September, when the annual hunt started.

The hunt continues until spring, based on a catch limit of around 2000 animals set by the government.

source: http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=437581

Plea to fishermen over dolphin deaths

A sharp reduction in the Irrawaddy dolphin population in Songkhla Lake is worrying marine experts.

Santi Nilawat of the Marine and Coastal Research Centre said yesterday at least 81 dolphins had died over the past 20 years, with 10 dying between January and September this year.

The major cause of death is dolphins becoming entangled in fishing nets, he said. The latest survey found there were about 30 dolphins living in the lake. Mr Santi called on fishermen to be careful when fishing in the lake from this month to January as it was the gestation period for female dolphins.

Dolphins need larger feeding grounds during this period, so they stray from the 100 square kilometres declared an Irrawaddy dolphin protection zone to search for food.

This increases the risk of being entangled in fishing nets, he said.

source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/199073/plea-to-fishermen-over-dolphin-deaths

Audubon delays rehabbed dolphin release

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Audubon Nature Institute has postponed the release of a male bottlenose dolphin rescued in June from a Cameron Parish beach.

The release had been scheduled Friday. But institute spokeswoman Meghan Barnett says the dolphin has been eating less than usual for a couple of days, and veterinarians want to be sure he's healthy before they let him go.

Because he was found during the BP PLC oil spill, his blood was checked for possible oil spill damage as well as other problems. There wasn't any oil, but he was very underweight, dehydrated,had pneumonia and his brain, lungs and digestive tract were infested with parasites.

He weighed 270 pounds when he arrived. Now, he weighs more than 300 pounds.

source: http://www.katc.com/news/audubon-delays-rehabbed-dolphin-release1/

Mixed dolphin groups change how they talk

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Two distinct species of dolphins with separate calls and sounds seem to attempt to find a common language when they come together, a U.S. researcher says.

Bottlenose and Guyana dolphins, two distantly related species, often come together to socialize in waters off the coast of Costa Rica, and although each species normally makes distinct, different sounds, they change the way they communicate when together and begin using an intermediate language, the BBC reported Thursday.

Biologist Laura May-Collado of the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan made the discovery while studying dolphins swimming in Costa Rica's Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge off the country's southern Caribbean coast. When bottlenose dolphins swim together, they emit longer, lower frequency calls that are modulated, she said. In contrast, Guyana dolphins usually communicate using higher frequency whistles that have their own particular structure.

But the two species often swim together in one group and when they do they produce quite different calls, May-Collado has discovered. Calls emitted during these multi-species encounters are of an intermediate frequency and duration, a style that is somewhere between those of the two separate species.

"I was surprised by these findings, as I was expecting both species to emphasize, perhaps exaggerate, their species-specific signals," May-Collado told the BBC. "Instead the signals recorded during these encounters became more homogenous."

May-Collado said she could not be sure whether both species are changing the way they communicate, or if it is one species attempting to call more like the other.

source: http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/09/30/Mixed-dolphin-groups-change-how-they-talk/UPI-27091285891311/