Assessing Stress Responses in Beaked and Sperm Whales in the Bahamas

This project is developing the use of fecal steroid hormone assays to assess stress responses in Blainville s beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris, BBW) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) residing in the northern Bahamas. These species were chosen to include a particularly acoustically-sensitive cetacean (beaked whales) and a co-occurring species (sperm whales) for comparison. The goal is to determine baseline fecal hormone levels for reference populations of these two deep-diving whale species, characterizing the natural variations in stress-related hormones according to life history stage (age, sex, reproductive status). The results of this project will set the stage for future research comparing levels of the same stress-related hormones in beaked and sperm whales inhabiting the nearby U.S. Navy Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) or other habitats with known acoustic exposures from man-made sounds. This approach uses quantifiable alterations in stress-related fecal hormones to determine whether anthropogenic noise is causing measurable physiological changes that can potentially lead to biologically significant effects on individuals and populations.
Prepared in collaboration with the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organization, Abaco, Bahamas.