Slovenian researcher involved in studying mysterious Pitcairn Islands whales

Koper, 6 October - A researcher from the Slovenian marine mammal research association Morigenos has taken part in an international expedition to the distant Pitcairn Islands to study the mysterious humpback whales there. New research into the Pitcairn Islands whales could contribute to a better understanding of how they live, Morigenos said.

Pitcairn Islands, South Pacific
The Slovenian marine mammal research association Morigenos has taken part in an international expedition studying the mysterious humpback whales.
Photo: Morigenos



A three-member team comprised of professor Terry Dawson, PhD student Katherine McCoy and Tilen Genov from Morigenos travelled to the Pitcairn Islands, a UK overseas territory located in the central Pacific Ocean, in 2023 and 2024 as part of the project Humpback Whales of the Pitcairn Islands led by researchers from King's College London.

The researchers collected data on the humpback whales, which started to appear around the Pitcairn Islands in the 1990s, waters that latest findings of researchers from King's College London suggest they use to procreate, Morigenos said.

The team collected photo-identification and genetic data to determine how many whales come to the area and which population they belong to.

"By comparing photographs collected around Pitcairn with identification catalogues from elsewhere, such as French Polynesia and Antarctica, we can find out where these whales are travelling. And by recording and analysing their songs in the area, we can compare their calling patterns with those of other populations," the association wrote.

By collecting skin samples from whales, researchers can use genetics to study their kinship and population structure, which can help determine their population. Drone footage meanwhile provides additional information on the behaviour and physical condition of these animals.

"We hope that this multidisciplinary approach will provide useful insights into the biology, ecology and conservation status of these enigmatic whales," Morigenos stressed.

Despite mostly unfavourable weather conditions during the two expeditions, the team recorded many sightings of the whales, obtained photographs to identify individuals, recorded their calls, obtained aerial footage and even samples for genetic analysis. This information, they said, will help to better understand the life and conservation of these mysterious giants.