Assessing the vulnerability of pregnant bowhead whale females to climate change in the Arctic

This project combines drone photogrammetry and blubber biopsy sampling to identify and measure the rate of increase in body condition (body fat deposition) of pregnant bowhead whales in West Greenland during the winter/spring feeding season. Pregnant females has a direct effect on the growth rate of the population, and by knowing how much energy (prey) they require makes it possible to assess their sensitivity to future changes in prey availability due to climate change. This project will hence generate valuable information for the management and conservation of both whales and the Arctic ecosystem.