The IWDG successfully obtained tissue samples from fin and humpback whales this year. This work is part of the ongoing Large Whale Survey, which started in 1999 and since 2001 has been collecting images suitable for photo-identification. These tissue samples were obtained using biopsy sampling. This involves firing a dart with a sampling tip into
Posts Categorized: News
Despite it being a relatively quiet time of year with few people venturing out to the clifftops, there is still a steady trickle of sightings being reported.
The most interesting sighting of the weekend was of an adult pair of killer whales that stayed around Dursey Island, West Cork throughout the weekend. They were reported by David Cooke, who is a regular recorder from Dursey Island. Initially seen off the tip of Dursey Island on Saturday morning 7/02/09 they moved north towards
The fetal remains, found with the 47.5 million-year-old pregnant female, were positioned head down, suggesting these creatures gave birth on land, while spending much of the rest of their time in the water.
Report 2, Wed. 4th Feb 2009 12:00 Tony Murray, NPWS conservation ranger has measured the whale at between 15-17m, which would put it within the 50-60ft range. For those considering travelling to see it, it is 2.5km south of Morris Castle at Grid Ref T19294 40950. . Report 1, Tues. 3rd Feb 2009 Three weeks
Under the EU Habitats Directive, Member States are required to provide strict protection to all species of cetacean (all on Annex IV) within the Irish EEZ. For species on Annex II, Member States are also required to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). This includes the harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin. To date, two sites
Survey Ended: January Patrol Area: East, South, Southwest and West Coasts Agency: Naval Service Ship: L.E. Niamh Observer: Dave Wall ______________________________________ Jan 29th 2009 Last day at sea spent south of Cork. Though we headed out to the Labadie bank a developing gale brought matters to a close and we surfed back towards Cobh in
New equipment which tests hearing loss in live stranded cetaceans may be useful in assessing their survival chances.
While not attracting the huge publicity of the recent fin whale stranding in Courtmacsherry, the IWDG received a report today (21 Jan) of a stranded pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps. The whale stranded dead and in poor condition on 17 January near Sneem in Co. Kerry. This little known animal has never been recorded live
Update 23/01/09 Dan Crowley of Cork County Council has just informed the IWDG that 28.68 tonnes of whale were removed for incineration in Waterford. Obviously the whale was much heavier with fluid loss and the weight of the skeleton also to be considered. The cost to Cork County Council of removing this whale is in