Discover the world's smallest whale population

Scientists have discovered the smallest known whale population in the world that lives in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. However, the concern is that the number of species is only 30 individuals.

According to a report from the 1800s, at least 23,000 individuals, living from North America to the sea of ​​Okhotsk and Japan. But according to the recently published study, there are now only 8 female whales and 20-22 male whales that exist in the northeast Pacific. A simple calculation can be made that shows that after 200 years, the number of whales has decreased by 1,000 times.

Paul Wade, the lead researcher, said: 'With such a small number and very few females, we cannot predict the amount of whales will increase or decrease. This trend may be going up or vice versa. Under ideal conditions, the number of whales will probably increase by at least a few% a year. However, this ability is unlikely to happen to such a population '.

Wade is a biologist working at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory at the Alaska Aquatic Science Center and his colleagues have taken various measures.

The number of individuals of the big North Pacific whale is seriously declining.The ability to preserve this species is difficult.

Whale is the world's largest mammal marine animal, with a length of up to 20m. Food is mainly small crustaceans such as animals belonging to the sword. With large size and a few other reasons people cannot nourish them and other horned animals.

By analyzing and observing the preliminary images, the researchers still find that the amount collected at all tests is the same: only about 30 whales exist.

According to Wade, the unstable whale situation as it is today is a 'direct consequence' of uncontrolled and illegal whaling and highlights the past failures of management organizations. International to prevent overexploitation.

Howard Rosenbaum, a researcher at the US Center for Wildlife Conservation and Museum of Natural History believes that the North Pacific whale is one of the world's most endangered whales. .

Five years ago, Rosenbaum conducted DNA studies to prove that large whales exist in three different genetic populations. The world's second smallest whale population may also be in an extremely critical situation, the gray whale population. Currently, only about 100 individuals are estimated to live.

Some other serious issues to face are the Pacific whales who have not yet received public attention. Few individuals live in remote areas, beyond human control, so more effort is needed to save them.

Source: Physorg