21 Jun 2019

Rare Whale's Song Recorded for the First Time

Marine biologists in the Bering Sea have recorded the songs of one of the world's rarest whales - the North Pacific Right Whale.

Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have captured four songs over eight years at five locations in the Bering Sea. The rarely seen animals, it is believed their population may be as low as 30 animals, make several sounds including one that sounds like a gunshot, upcalls, downcalls, moans, screams and warbles.

Last year expeditioners on one of Heritage Expeditions' 'Wrangel Island: Across the Top of the World' voyages in Russia's Far East were lucky enough to see one of these incredibly rare whales feeding among a pod of more than 30 Humpback Whales in Pengingay Bay, Chukotka.

Hear the North Pacific Right Whales' songs here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qCcuChtNs

Image (c) S.Blanc