The KMMREC team are super stoked. Despite covid-19 restrictions we have managed to accomplish and reach some reach milestones in 2020 and so far in 2021.
While we have been content in the past to observe our dolphins and whales from the ocean, as useful as that is in identifying species, populations and the areas where they prefer to hang out we are missing a lot of information. Why are we so excited? We have eyes on the land watching for the humpback whales, we have eyes on the ocean as researchers with Hemingways Watamu whale watching boats, we have ears in the ocean with 4 underwater audio units recording the dolphin and whale vocalisations and we have an eye in the sky with a new drone.
These are exciting new research innovations for Kenya working hand in hand with Kenya Wildlife Service in monitoring marine mammals along the Kenyan coast. As KWS are embarking on a national wildlife census we expect that the information that we have gathered over the 10 years studying these little known animals will help provide an insight into their lives for conservation efforts.