Field Dispatch: Citizen Science aboard the Explorer in Antarctica

After encountering a pod of killer whales in the waters around Antarctica, passengers watched as scientists from the National Geographic Explorer approached the animals in a Zodiac to get a closer look, and to (hopefully) sample, satellite tag, and photograph the whales.

Expedition staffer Jen Labrqcque writes:

We cheered them on as they worked to stay close to the group and get the angle for shooting the sampling arrow and satellite transmitter. It took some time, many passes, several swift course changes, and some surprise as the whales popped up directly behind them, but eventually Bob and John, with Stephanie expertly manoeuvring the Zodiac, were able to get several shots fired from their crossbows. Two biopsy samples were successfully retrieved and the satellite tag was successfully planted onto the dorsal fin of the biggest male killer whale anyone has ever seen and a second female. It will be very interesting to see the instant online results of the locations of these large whales over the next few days.

If you'd like to learn more about this expedition after watching this presentation, please ask us a question.

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