Whales of Sri Lanka: Conservation through Science and Engagement

The blue whales found in Sri Lankan waters have been described by researcher Asha de Vos as "unorthodox" since they break their species stereotypes. Prior research suggested that blue whales the world over fed at the poles and then undertook long-range migrations to breed and calve. We now know that the blue whales of Sri Lanka remain in the warm tropical waters of the Northern Indian Ocean year-round.

Captivated by this unique whale behavior, Asha de Vos has spent a decade getting to know them. Her current mission is to save them.

The waters off the Sri Lankan coast have some of world's busiest shipping lanes with whale deaths due to ship strikes well documented and increasing. Working with a team at UC Santa Cruz, de Vos is collecting data on whale deaths and developing mathematical models that calculate how the risk of ship strikes can be reduced.

Join de Vos as she describes this effort and highlights the importance of coupling science and civic engagement for the long-term protection of this unique population.