During biopsy sampling, a small sample is obtained by firing a modified arrow from a cross bow. When the arrow bounces off the whale, it retains tissue in the sampling tip and floats at the surface until it can be collected again. In fact, we observe the same range of reactions when a whale is missed entirely, indicating to us that most individuals are simply startled by the procedure. Nevertheless, our policy is to collect only one biopsy sample from an individual during its lifetime. Genetic analyses of our samples are performed by our genetics collaborators, Drs.
Work is even underway to use tissue samples to determine the age of an individual. .
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please contact us regarding any other uses of these data.