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To: Journey North
From: Anne Smrcina, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The right whale researchers are still seeing lots of whales along the Georgia/Florida coastline -- although we have more sad news to report. In addition to the two dead adults (Lindsay, an adult male, and an unidentified female reported last week), a dead calf was found Feb. 19. A necropsy was not able to pinpoint the cause of death -- but blood and tissue samples still have to be analyzed. This calf death -- along with one in January, also of unexplained causes -- is giving right whale researchers cause for concern. Are congenital defects leading to calf deaths (and is the genetic health of the population to blame)? The researchers believe both calves had survived for at least a couple of weeks based on their blubber layers and the beginnings of eruptions of callosities (newborns have smooth skin without the callous-like patches on their heads). Or are the increased level of vessel traffic and naval exercises stressing the calves?
Now for some satellite tag readings for "Metompkin," the entangled whale I mentioned last week:
Feb. 3......36 N, 71 W
Feb. 9......37.4N, 68.6W
Feb. 10.....37.4N, 68.3W
Feb. 11.....37.5N, 67.4W
Feb. 13.....37.4N, 66.6W
Feb. 15.....37.6N, 65.6W
Feb. 18.....38.2N, 63.9W
Scientists are a bit concerned with these readings. What might be happening here? How would you explain these reports from the satellite tag affixed to Metompkin's entangling debris?
To share your thoughts with other students, please respond to Challenge Question #12 according to the directions at the end of this report.
If you'd like more information on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, check out our home page on the world wide web at: http://vineyard.er.usgs.gov We have an article on right whales in our on-line newsletter.
The Sanctuary is offering a new right whale educator's book and poster to schools participating in Journey North. The unit is intended for middle school students, although activities and information can be adapted to upper or lower grades. (Since we only have a limited number of books, we are asking that only one teacher per school contact us. Please provide school name, teacher contact name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail, and number of students involved in the whale education unit.
You can e-mail your request to me at: asmrcina@ocean.nos.noaa.gov or mail your request to: Anne Smrcina, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, 14 Union Street, Plymouth, MA 02360.
How to Respond to Challenge Question #12
1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge@learner.org
2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question #12
3. In the Body of your message answer this question:
"How would you explain these reports from the satellite tag affixed to Metompkin's entangling debris?"
That's it for this week's report. I'll have more whale information next week.
The Next Right Whale Migration Update Will be Posted on February 21, 1996.
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