Season 1, Episode 3
The Data Deficient Killer Whales of Western Australia with Bec Wellard
In this episode of From the Field, find out why collecting data on Killer Whales in Australia is crucial to protecting not just the species itself but an entire ocean ecosystem.
You'll Learn
Bec’s first interaction with a Killer Whale.
Why Killer Whales inspire Bec to push forward in her research.
Killer Whale behavior – including predation on other whales.
The Bremer Sub Basin and its natural wonders.
How Bec collects acoustic data and photo ID data.
How photograph’s improve public outreach and understanding.
How Killer Whale data can help protect the waters they live in.
Really amazing people are making new discoveries everyday, which should give us hope for the future.
Links From the Episode:
About Bec
ABOUT DR. BEC WELLARD
Dr. Bec Wellard has been working with marine mammals for the past 10 years and is an avid conservation scientist, naturalist, self proclaimed cetacean nerd and ocean adventurer. Bec has been involved in numerous research projects both in Australia and worldwide. Her main research interests are bioacoustics, cognitive behaviour and applied ecology and conservation. Bec has been involved in numerous projects focusing on genetics, population ecology, bioacoustics and anthropogenic effects on cetaceans.
Bec commenced her PhD with the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in 2015. Her PhD project aimed to improve our understanding of the killer whale population in the Australian region by using non-invasive techniques such as mark-recapture photo ID and passive acoustic monitoring. It allowed Bec to establish a photo-ID catalogue of Australian killer whales alongside a call repertoire catalogue. This data has the potential to monitor geographic variation in the bioacoustics of the Australian killer whales, along with characterizing the environment of killer whale habitat. Bec recently completed her Ph.D and continues her research with her non-profit, Project ORCA.
Bec spots killer whale in Antarctica
killer whales hunt and kill beaked whale of Bremer Bay
Split Tip in photo ID catalogue
