Short‐term recovery of humpback whales after percutaneous satellite tagging

Abstract

ABSTRACTLong‐term re‐sightings of individuals used in satellite telemetry research are important for determining the effects of tagging on large whales. We evaluated the initial behavioral response, healing process, and short‐term reproductive behavior and success of 7 percutaneous‐tagged humpback whales (4 M, 3 F) monitored for 4–10 years in the feeding ground of the Magellan Strait, Chile. We took post‐tagging photographs incidentally every year during re‐sighting expeditions. We did not observe an initial reaction to tagging or sudden change in behavior or direction of movement. Two of the females had 3 and 2 calves before tagging, and one of them had 2 calves every 3 years after tagging. Post‐tagging annual site fidelity remained nearly 100%. We did not observe initial tag protrusion in any individual. Four whales (57%) showed no signs of initial tissue damage shortly after tagging; we observed tissue shedding in 2 individuals, and traces of blood on 1 whale. Complete wound healing apparently occurred in all individuals within the first 2 years after tagging, and 5 of them showed no scars 3–6 years later. Four individuals showed small to medium (<5 cm) tumor‐like lumps for several years after tagging, but some were undistinguishable from other natural lumps (e.g., barnacles) observed near the tag injury. Overall, tagging did not seem to affect reproductive success or the behavior of individuals during and immediately after tagging. The development of new technologies always can pose a risk to animal welfare, thus studies such as this one are important for carefully evaluating the effects of tagging on whales. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.