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Wildlife Wednesday (Southeast Chapter): Humpback whales and tourism in Juneau: What can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Photo courtesy of Heidi Pearson, NMFS Permit #20648

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Join us for a free virtual presentation with guest speaker, Heidi Pearson!

The cancellation of cruise ships during Summer 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic provided an unprecedented opportunity to assess humpback whales in the near absence of whale-watching vessels near Juneau. Pearson will present her collaborative study with University of Alaska Fairbanks and NOAA to assess humpback whale residency patterns and stress hormone levels during this unusual low tourism year.

Pearson is an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Alaska Southeast. Her research focuses on the behavior, ecology, and conservation of marine mammals with a focus on humpback whales and sea otters in Alaska, and dusky dolphins in New Zealand.

This event will be recorded for future viewing and will be accessible on our YouTube page and website.

Earlier Event: February 23
Climate Adaptation Workshop: Approaches to Adapting to Alaska's Rapidly Warming Climate
Later Event: March 9
Wildlife Wednesday: Marine debris in the Bering Sea: Combining historical records, toxicology, and local knowledge to assess impacts and identify solutions
 

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