Mar. Mam. Sci. 14:861-873
Male Humpback Whale Dies in Competitive Group
A. A. Pack, D. R. Salden, M. J. Ferrari, D. A. Glockner-Ferrari,
L. M. Herman, H. A. Stubbs, J. M. Straley
(C) 1998 by the Society for Marine Mammology
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- On 9 February 1996, we observed a dead adult male humpback whale
in waters off Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii. It had been a member of a
competitive group of at least four whales approximately 1 h 40
min earlier, and evidence presented here suggests it died during
the ongoing competitive activities. Three whales from this competitive
group remained with the dead whale and directed a variety of behaviors
toward it. One of these three, later identified as a male, remained
with the dead whale for over four hours. Here, we summarize the
events preceding and following the death of the whale and describe
more fully the behaviors of the other whales toward it.
- Pack, A.A., Salden, D. R., Ferrari, D. A., Glockner-Ferrari,
D. A., Herman, L. M., Stubbs, H. A., Straley, J. M. (1998) Male
humpback whale dies ion cimpetitive group. Marine Mammal Science,
14, 861-873
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