Scientists find eastern Australian humpback whales benefited from a reduction in human activity on the ocean during the first year of the pandemic, recording lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Scientists have found Australian humpback whales were less stressed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Scientists say humans need to find ways to reduce their impact on these migrating cetaceans.
The research, published today, found similar results to a study by Boston scientists from the New England Aquarium shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre. Dr Linsky said this could be due to several reasons, such as the large amounts of underwater noise usually generated by commercial ships.
"On the migratory path they're using sound to communicate over great distances, and anything that's going to attenuate their ability to communicate is going to have an impact on the population."Additionally, Dr Linsky said analysis of gene expression suggested the whales could have been eating fewer polychlorinated biphenyls and other man-made pollutants during the pandemic.
Dr Linsky said the health of these migratory whales was a good barometer of the health of the Antarctic marine ecosystem as a whole.
Jake Linsky Whales University Of Queensland Minjerribah Marine Environmental Research Marine Biology Stress Covid Pandemic Ocean
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Overseas students cap will protect integrity of universities: University of Queensland chancellor Peter VargheseWhile the university sector reels from a raft of measures designed to limit net migration, there is growing support for caps on overseas student numbers.
Read more »
Farmers lead class action against Queensland power generatorsThe class action against two major government-owned power generators is being led by Leyburn-based husband-and-wife farmers Nick and Ronnie Adamson, and litigated by law firm Piper Alderman.
Read more »
State of Origin I LIVE: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons at Accor StadiumA new-look NSW team. New halves, new coach, new skipper. But will it be the same old story when Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry resumes on Wednesday?
Read more »
State of Origin I LIVE: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons at Accor StadiumA new-look NSW team. New halves, new coach, new skipper. But will it be the same old story when Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry resumes on Wednesday?
Read more »
State of Origin I LIVE: NSW Blues v Queensland Maroons at Accor StadiumA new-look NSW team. New halves, new coach, new skipper. But will it be the same old story when Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry resumes on Wednesday?
Read more »
Queensland Labor government to facing election wipe-out, exclusive polling data revealsLabor could have its worst result since it came to power in 2015 according to Redbridge&x27;s poll of 880 Queenslanders.
Read more »