Researchers track blue whales by their songs

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/03/29/asia-pacific/researchers-track-blue-whales-by-their-songs/#.UVb2KO1qP8s

SYDNEY – An Australian-led group of scientists has for the first time tracked down and tagged Antarctic blue whales by using acoustic technology to follow their songs, the government said Wednesday.

The blue whale, the largest animal on the planet, is rarely spotted in the Antarctic Ocean but a group of intrepid researchers were able to locate and tag some of them after picking up on their deep and complex vocals.

Researcher Virginia Andrews-Goff said it was the first time acoustics have been used to lead scientists to the whales in real time. “The acoustics led us to the whales. They are quite, almost alienlike, deep resonating sounds. They are quite intense,” she said.

Environment Minister Tony Burke said the researchers, who spent seven weeks working from small boats in freezing Antarctic conditions, were captivated by the whales’ remarkable behavior.