Observations of long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) calves less than one year old, including neonates and a very recently born calf, in northern Norway

Abstract

Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) are a widespread, highly social deep-diving cetacean species ranging from the sub-tropics to the High Arctic. Information on this species’ life history at higher latitudes is limited. Opportunistic observations of pilot whale calves were made in the spring and summer of 2020, summer of 2022 and spring of 2023 from commercial whale-watching boat trips out of Andenes, on Andøya, about 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, in northern Norway. Eighteen observations were made of long-finned pilot whale groups where 14 neonates and 32 other calves less than one year old were present. Additionally, a neonate with deep foetal folds and a folded-over dorsal fin, indicating very recent birth, was observed within Bleik Canyon on 21 June 2020.