Search

Although Hubbs' beaked whale (Mesoplodon carlhubbsi) was previously known from over 60 strandings on both sides of the North Pacific, it had been identified alive in the wild only once, off Oregon in 1994. In September 2021, we conducted a search effort for beaked whales off the coast of Oregon using a towed hydrophone array and a visual search team. Approximately 350 km off the Columbia River mouth, we detected the vocalizations of an unidentified mesoplodont whale; we stopped our vessel and waited in the area until two unidentified juvenile Mesoplodon surfaced and stayed near our vessel for almost 2 hr. During that time, we took numerous photographs and videos, made behavioral observations, and recorded their vocalizations. The DNA sequence from a biopsy sample identified them as M. carlhubbsi. In this paper, we discuss our biological observations, including color patterning and acquired markings, behavioral observations, and describe for the first time the acoustic characteristics of this species. We confirm that M. carlhubbsi is the source of a previously unidentified acoustic signal known as BW37V, and we update what is known about the at‐sea distribution of this species based on previous recordings and observational records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diving behavior of this group of 12 Baird's beaked whales aligns with what is known about this species and beaked whales in general. Little is known about the foraging depths of Baird's beaked whales ( I Berardius bairdii i ). Diving behaviour of a Baird's beaked whale, Berardius bairdii, in the slope water region of the western North Pacific: first dive records using a data logger. [Extracted from the article]