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| Orca Research Collective of Antarctica (ORCA) |
Learning about the food preferences of Antarctic killer whales
Previous research suggests that south polar waters are home to at least three distinct types of killer whales that differ in their morphology and behaviour and might be genetically isolated. However, we currently have little information on what the different populations eat. Killer whales hunting seals and penguins must use very different hunting tactics from those feeding on fish. We will follow groups of killer whales in small boats looking for evidence of feeding events. Even with seals and penguins as prey items, feeding behaviour can be extremely subtle and difficult to confirm from surface observations alone. We will rely on acoustic cues, such as bouts of calling behaviour or sounds generated as the whales interact with the prey animal, to detect feeding events. Once such an event has been confirmed, we will use a dip net to collect prey remains (fish scales, feathers, or bits of skin and blubber). In cases where the prey cannot be identified visually, we will use genetic techniques to determine prey identity. This study will provide the first comprehensive documentation of the feeding habits of the different killer whale populations that frequent the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula.
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