Narwhale Disturbed by Noise at 20-30 Kilometers’ Distance

A new study shows that narhwales are disturbed by noise originating up to 20-30 kilometers away, according to KNR. The noise may disturb them so much that they avoid foraging, according to a recent study from Copenhagen University and Greenland’s  Nature Institute.

Tests were conducted in East Greenland in which scientists spent one week conducting tests using a ship engine and a seismic air canon, which is used in petroleum exploration. In one case, the scientists could measure the influence from noise originating 40 kilometers away.

“The narwhales’ reactions indicated that they get scared and stressed. They stop transmitting clicking sounds that they use when the forage, they no longer dive deep, and the swim close to the coast, a thing they would otherwise only do when feeling threatened by killer whales. This behavior means they have no means of finding food as long as the noise goes on, says Ocean Biologist Outi Tervo from Greenland’s Nature Institute to KNR. He is one of the scientists behind the study.