Cape Verde 2006: In Search Of Missing Link

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group are returning to the Cape Verde Islands off West Africa in search of humpback whales. In 2003, the IWDG organized the first Irish Humpback Whale Expedition and spent a month locating and recording humpback whales around Boavista and Santa Antao. A total of 11 fluke images were collected (see humpback images page) and submitted to the North Atlantic Humpback whale catalogue. None of these images could be matched to Ireland or any other feeding grounds at higher latitudes in the North Atlantic.

Despite the absence of any fluke matches, the IWDG have been acknowledged as making a significant contribution to the knowledge of humpback whales in the Cape Verde Islands.

We are returning in February until end of March 2006, to build on the work started in 2003. In addition to gathering images, we will attempt to obtain tissue samples using a biopsy dart delivered by a crossbow, and obtain sound recordings. The use of a crossbow for collecting a small (5x10mm) plug of skin is widespread in whale research and has little impact on the whale - we liken it to, at worse, being bitten by a horse fly.

We will be working closely with the Instituto Nacional de Desenvolvimento da Pesca (INDP) in Cape Verde who will join the expedition in CVI.

FOLLOW THE EXPEDITION VIA REGULAR UPDATES FROM CVI ON THIS WEBSITE.