B.C. study tracks breaths of killer whales using stunning drone video
The use of drones has helped researchers track the breathing patterns of killer whales off B.C.'s coast, and the videos offer a stunning glimpse of the majestic creatures diving and surfacing.
With the drones and underwater biologging tags, the researchers were able to confirm a long-held assumption – that orcas take just one breath between dives – while forming the clearest picture yet of their breathing rates during different activities.
Lead author Tess McRae, a masters student with UBC's Marine Mammal Research Unit, said their study should lead to a greater understanding of how much fish and other sustenance wild killer whales require in a day.
"We have northern resident killer whales, which are listed as threatened, and we have southern residents, which are listed as endangered – so it's really important for us to know how much energy they're using and how much food they need to survive," McRae told CTV News.
Since the massive marine mammals are not easily accessible or co-operative subjects, researchers use breathing patterns to extrapolate the amount of energy they're using during various behaviours.
The study determined orcas off the B.C. coast breathe 1.2 or 1.3 times per minute while resting and 1.5 to 1.8 times per minute while travelling or foraging for food.
By comparison, humans take about 15 breaths per minute while resting and 40 to 60 breaths while exercising – which highlights just how well orcas have adapted to their marine environment, researchers said.
"It’s the equivalent of holding your breath and running to the grocery store, shopping and coming back before breathing again," study co-author Dr. Beth Volpov said in a statement.
One of the drone videos captured a dozen orcas travelling together in a line, occasionally bobbing to the surface to inhale through their blowholes, exhale, and submerge once more.
While researchers have previously tried to track the animals’ breathing rates, McRae said those efforts used land-based observations. Her team tracked the orcas from the air and water for what they believe is a more accurate reading that can be used in ongoing conservation research.
"Once we understand how many fish these killer whales need in a day, then we can start looking at their prey populations," McRae said. "We can make different management decisions from there, so this is really kind of the first step in assessing that."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
DEVELOPING Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
BREAKING Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Edmonton gas station employee found guilty of terrorism charges in the U.K.
An Edmonton man has been convicted of multiple charges under the Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom.
U.S. Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service resigned Tuesday in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against former U.S. president Donald Trump that unleashed an outcry about how the agency failed in its core mission to protect current and former presidents.
Celine Dion lands in Paris amid reports of performance at the Olympics
Speculation is mounting that Celine Dion will make an appearance at the Paris Olympics after landing in the French capital days before the opening ceremony.
Quebec mom devastated after man who killed her daughter in hit-and-run gets out after 5 months
A Montreal-area mother is furious with Quebec's justice system because the man who killed her 25-year-old daughter in a 2022 hit-and-run was released from jail after only serving one-sixth of his sentence behind bars.
Trudeau hand-picking candidate in Montreal byelection riles aspiring contenders
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to hand-pick a candidate for a riding in an upcoming Montreal byelection isn't being well-received by three aspiring contenders who spent months campaigning only to be shunted aside.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands after car totalled in hit-and-run
A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.