Behavioural responses of southern right whales to satellite tag deployment, with a comparison to biopsy sampling
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Abstract
Satellite tagging provides vital information about the ecology of whales, not currently obtainable in any other way, but it can elicit short‐ and long‐term impacts on individuals. This study investigates short‐term behavioural responses of New Zealand and Australian southern right whales to the deployment of consolidated ‘Type C’ tags using a standardised behavioural response scale. Whale pre‐approach behaviour, tag placement and deployment distance significantly influenced response intensity. Responses were generally weak, and similar to those elicited by biopsy‐only sampling, which is also influenced by pre‐approach behaviour. Overall, it seems likely that whales’ response intensity is primarily influenced by the close boat approach.
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