The Hunt for Knowledge
Whales, dolphins and porpoises, collectively known as cetaceans, are the subject of thousands of hours of research performed annually around the globe. Some researchers use innovative methods and equipment often working in unpredictable conditions. Others pore through historical records to mine them for data. Their collaborative work has informed and enhanced whale conservation efforts by helping shape laws and treaties established to protect whales.
Questions about current scientific study of whales are on the minds of many of our visitors. This exhibition seeks to answer some common inquiries. The story of human interactions with whales would be incomplete without discussing today's scientific work and the changes made in fishing practices to protect cetaceans.
Located on the mezzanine level of the Jacobs Family Gallery, the exhibit is in full view of our skeletons, which provide an excellent context for this exhibit. Their presence leads to a variety of questions and starting points asked by our visitors: Why do we have skeletons on display? Why/how did these animals die? What are the other major survival threats to whales? What can we do about those threats, both legislatively and personally? How are they protected? What species are hunted now? Why should we care about the future of whale populations?
These links are provided to give you a chance to dig deeper into the research, technologies and data featured in the exhibition. Finding and Identifying WhalesThe North Atlantic Right Whale CatalogRead about the longest-running and most comprehensive North Atlantic right whale research and conservation initiative in the world and view pictures of right whales. Right Whale Listening Network Learn about right whales and see where (and how) their calls have been detected within the past 24 hours. The Jupiter Foundation Hear live whale songs and see streaming videos live from Puako, Hawaii. Loading... The Great Whale Telemetry Program The Great Whale Telemetry Program at the University of the Azores is using satellite tags to track several individuals of three different baleen whale species. Tracks of whales with active tags are updated daily. We encourage you to take a look at the video in the Whale Telemetry Methodology page. Survival Threats and Conservation EffortsThe Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS)Read about the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the world's most active charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales and cetaceans. Wildlife Conservation Explore satellite tracking of western Arctic bowhead whales and the important project associated with these whales by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game Division of Wildlife Conservation Ocean Today (NOAA) Explore Ocean Today where you can read about ocean news around the world, ocean life, science and technology being developed and used to help us understand the most unexplored places of the Earth, and discoveries being made everyday. Protective MeasuresThe International Whaling Commission (IWC)This link will provide information on the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling which was signed in Washington DC on 2nd December 1946 Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 Read Congress's findings and policies related to the MMPA Fascinating FactsSearch and Destroy: Sperm Whale EcholocationThe Te Papa Museum in New Zealand has created a vivid, color animation that depicts how sperm whales find and capture their food in the dark depths of the ocean |
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