Wildlife Conservation Iceland Project #25043

Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland

by Earthwatch Institute

Project Report | Dec 30, 2019
Researchers Document New Threat to Killer Whales

By Heather Wilcox | Director of Annual Giving & Planned Giving

Thanks to the ongoing commitment of supporters like you, the end of 2019 marks the completion of Earthwatch’s 3rd season of killer whale research in Iceland. This year, five teams of Earthwatch volunteers travelled to Vestmannaeyjar from June to August to observe the whales as they adapt to declining fish stocks and a changing marine environment.

One observation of particular interest to Earthwatch’s scientists is the growing frequency of pilot whale sightings. The pilot whales have been observed chasing and harassing the killer whales, causing the killer whales to lose out on feeding opportunities. In response, Dr. Samarra plans to expand her research objectives in 2020 to include studying pilot whales and other whale species that may be competing with the killer whales for food and territory. With your continued support, Earthwatch teams will be able to use this new information to measure the health of not only the killer whales but the entire marine ecosystem.

Each year, Earthwatch must raise almost $500,000 in donations in order to conduct research like this in Iceland and other threatened ecosystems around the world. This means that none of this work would be possible without the generous commitment from donors like YOU. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to protecting at-risk wildlife.

On behalf of Earthwatch’s scientists, staff and board, happy New Year!

Gratefully,

Heather Wilcox
Director of Annual Giving & Planned Giving
978-450-1208
hwilcox@earthwatch.org

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