Photos: Drone captures stunning images of killer whales

Shreya Dasgupta

9 years ago

A specialized drone has captured thousands of striking high-resolution images of killer whale populations in the United States.
The research program is a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and Vancouver Aquarium.
Drone images reveal that the endangered southern resident population of killer whales in the San Juan Islands is up by five individuals this year.

A specialized drone called the hexacopter has captured thousands of striking high-resolution images of endangered killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations in the United States. The images have revealed that some whales are pregnant, and some have nursing calves.

The research program is a collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and Vancouver Aquarium.

“So what we’re trying to do with the hexacopter is simply to get a camera above the whales and measure their length, so we can monitor growth, and to look at their width profile so we can see how fat they are,” John Durban, a marine mammal biologist with NOAA Fisheries, said in a NOAA Fisheries podcast. “We do that by taking pictures and taking measurements from the pictures.”

The hexacopter has a camera and a pressure altimeter on-board. The team uses the altitude measurements to scale the photographs for measurements. And this results in very precise measurements, Durban said.

Photogrammetry image of an adult female Southern Resident (J16) as she’s about to surface with her youngest calf, born earlier this year, alongside. Future photogrammetry will allow scientists to monitor the growth of the calf and condition of the mother to ensure they are getting an adequate food supply. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Vancouver Aquarium.

Typically, scientists have used counts of births and deaths to assess population status. “But photogrammetry gives us a new tool to better assess the whales’ condition between years and to look for changes over the course of the year,” Lynne Barre, branch chief for protected resources in NOAA Fisheries’ Seattle office, said in a statement.

For example, the team found that the endangered southern resident population of killer whales in the San Juan Islands – currently with 81 members — is up by five individuals this year. In the late 1990s, this population had declined dramatically, falling from 97 individuals in 1996 to 78 in 2001.

“I think it is a sign that feeding has been okay for them and pretty good in the last few months,” Durban said in the podcast. “But you know, future monitoring is going to tell us whether those calves survive and grow to recruit to the adult population.”

“So I think the success of our study is being measured in longevity, whether we can keep this going to track growth, and changes in condition, changes in reproduction, and see if we can link it to not only salmon returns, but specific runs of salmon or times of the year when salmon are important. By doing that we can help to guide management actions to perhaps help, you know, enable these whales in lean times to make sure they get an adequate food supply,” he added.

Overhead image of the newest member of the Southern Resident killer whale population, L122, just days after being born to first-time mother L91. This image shows the small size of neonate calves and the close bond between mother and calf that will last a lifetime. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Vancouver Aquarium.

An adult female Southern Resident killer whale (L94) nursing her calf. Lactation is energetically costly for these whales, and future photogrammetry images of the calf’s growth and the mother’s condition will reveal if the mother is getting enough food to support both herself and the calf. Note the distinctive saddle patch on the mother. This allows scientists to recognize individual whales in photographs. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Vancouver Aquarium.

New mother L91 eating a salmon as her newborn calf looks on. This fish was caught and given to her by other members of the family group, showing that relatives help her as she cares for her calf. Image to be used for health assessment. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Vancouver Aquarium.

Photogrammetry image the A42 family group of Northern residents. Killer whales travel in their matrilineal family group their entire lives. Here the matriarch A42 is in the middle with her newest calf beneath her. Note A42’s distinctive saddle patch. This allows scientists to recognize individual whales from the photographs and assess their health. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries, Vancouver Aquarium.

Dr. John Durban is piloting the hexacopter into the hands of co-pilot Dr. Holly Fearnbach. The biologists, both with NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center, are using the hexacopter to capture images of killer whales in order to assess their health. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries. — Dr. John Durban is piloting the hexacopter into the hands of co-pilot Dr. Holly Fearnbach. The biologists, both with NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, are using the hexacopter to capture images of killer whales in order to assess their health. Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries.