Biopsying Southern Right Whales: Their Reactions and Effects on Reproduction

Abstract

Collecting skin biopsies from large whales for genetic analysis is often subject to national permit, and in the case of cow‐calf pairs, it may be prohibited. We present results of 906 biopsy attempts on southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in South African waters between 1995 and 1997, including 147 cow‐calf pairs. Our sampling success was higher for biopsy darts with a bore of 4 mm compared to 4.6 mm. Contact periods averaged 17.7 min for cow‐calf pairs and 25.4 min for whales unaccompanied by calves. There were no significant differences in the short‐term reactions of males and females to biopsying, but the reaction of single animals of either sex was greater than for larger groups. Cows accompanied by calves had the strongest reactions, which were significantly greater than even single females. We found evidence of sensitization to repeat biopsying (over periods of hours to 65 days) for cows but not calves (n = 20). We compared the subsequent reproductive history of 117 biopsied cows with that of 163 unbiopsied cows from the same years, and we compared the distribution of calving intervals for biopsied animals with 829 intervals recorded from 1985 to 1995. We did not detect any adverse effects on the proportion of successful reproductive cycles, and hence calf survival, or the proportion of longer‐than‐normal cycles, although the power of all the statistical tests was low. We concluded that any prohibition on the biopsy sampling of cow‐calf pairs should be carefully reconsidered in the light of the valuable genetic insights such sampling could achieve.

Short-term reactions and long-term responses of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to remote biopsy sampling

“…Observations of reactions by large whales have shown only short-term, low-level of behavioural disturbance and no evidence of longterm impact to habitat use or reproduction (Weinrich et al 1991;Clapham & Mattila 1993;Brown et al 1994;Gauthier & Sears 1999;Hooker et al 2001;Best et al 2005;Cantor et al 2010). Observations of reactions by small cetaceans (e.g.…”

Review of cetacean biopsy techniques: Factors contributing to successful sample collection and physiological and behavioral impacts

“…Southern right whale (E. australis) Kato et al 1996, Patenaude et al 1998, Malik et al 2000, Best et al 2005 North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) Brown et al 1991, Chivers et al 2000, Malik et al 2000Brown et al 1991, Woodley et al 1991, Weisbrod et al 2000 Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Winn et al 1973;Mathews 1986;Mathews et al 1988;Baker et al 1990Baker et al , 1993Baker et al , 1998Palsbøll et al 1995Palsbøll et al , 1997Weinrich et al 1992;Clapham and Mattila 1993;Lambertsen et al 1994;Medrano-González et al 1995;Gauthier and Sears 1999;…”

“…Results and conclusions from these studies were first grouped and summarized to provide generalized qualitative information. Additionally, sampling rate (defined as the percentage of biopsy attempts that struck an animal and successfully retained a sample, following Best et al 2005) and percentage values for a range of behavioral response levels were calculated so that results could be quantitatively compared across studies. Several steps were taken in an attempt to standardize behavioral reactions to facilitate statistical comparison across studies.…”

Injury and Subsequent Healing of a Propeller Strike Injury to a Heaviside's Dolphin (<I>Cephalorhynchus heavisidii</I>)

“…However, the majority of studies have shown no long-term behavioural changes to short-term impacts or injuries (Weinrich et al, 1991;Weller et al, 1997;Krützen, 2002;Best et al, 2005). Despite such a recent and extensive injury, the dolphin reported on in this study readily approached the research boat and surfed the bow wave on several occasions, including when first seen post injury.…”