Using whale sounds, helpers try to lead a killer whale lost in the Seine out to sea. Scientists, police and firefighters launched the operation this weekend near the northern French coast. Whether the action will succeed is of course unclear. “This is experimental,” says bioacoustics researcher Charlotte Curé.
“We’re not at all sure this will work, but it’s worth a try,” the scientist said. According to the Marine Mammal Research Group (GEEC), the whale was first sighted in early April by the crew of a trawler about 30 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. The video recordings are clear. There is no doubt that it is an orca. Since then, the killer whale has been seen time and again along the coast, in the Seine estuary and even some 60 kilometers upstream in the Seine near Yainville.
Orca swims back and forth
Orcas are more commonly found off the coasts of Scotland, Iceland and Norway, and further south in the Atlantic Ocean in the Bay of Biscay, a GEEC expert explained. But instead of going out to sea, the killer whale continues to swim back and forth, the prefecture said. The animal is extremely weak and has little chance of survival.
Since the animal is already so weak, the authorities, after consultation with experts, decided on the extraordinary sound method. This avoids using a vessel at close range, which could further increase the animal’s stress level.
Lure you into the sea with the sound of whales
When used, the whale sounds are played underwater with a speaker. The research teams then want to observe from boats some distance away how the orca reacts to the sounds — whether it’s attracted to them or hesitating. So they want to try to either lure him to the sea or drive him out, as it were. A drone also provides the scientists with photos and videos of the orca.
It is unclear why the animal appeared in the Seine. It is speculated that the whale first strayed into the English Channel because it is sick and can eat more easily in the calmer waters there. It could also be a young animal that has left its group and is now isolated.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
