Scientists track new predator as it moves into Arctic waters — here's why this could be catastrophic for the rest of the world
Killer whales, also known as orcas, have officially made the Arctic Ocean their home — something that was nearly impossible until now. Historically, thick ice sheets blocked the whales from venturing into these frigid waters, but as rising temperatures melt the ice, new pathways have opened up, as detailed by Mongabay.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba recently identified two small, genetically distinct populations of orcas now living in Arctic waters year-round. The discovery, published in Global Change Biology, was a surprise to even the research team, who expected to find a single migrating group rather than two separate populations.
Researchers explained that tracking these animals is no easy task. Using genetic testing from skin and blubber samples, the team confirmed that these Arctic orcas are unique, meaning they may not even recognize one another as potential mates.
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
The arrival of killer whales in the Arctic is more than just an interesting ecological shift — it has the potential to disrupt an already fragile marine ecosystem. These apex predators are now able to hunt Arctic whales like belugas, narwhals, and bowhead whales, which were previously protected by sea ice.
"The arctic whales are just chubby, slow, and delicious," said evolutionary geneticist Colin Garroway, underscoring how vulnerable these prey species are to orcas, per Mongabay. While there are still hundreds of thousands of Arctic whales compared to a few hundred killer whales, the long-term impacts of this shift remain uncertain.
Beyond the ecological consequences, this change is also a concern for Indigenous communities who rely on Arctic whales for food, culture, and economy. The continued presence of killer whales could impact sustainable hunting traditions that have existed for generations.
Researchers are tracking Arctic killer whale populations using satellite tags and genetic analysis to understand their movements and impact. Government agencies, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, are evaluating policies to protect vulnerable Arctic species.
The Arctic Council is pushing for stricter conservation efforts, while global climate initiatives aim to slow ice loss. Indigenous communities are partnering with scientists to integrate traditional knowledge into conservation strategies. These combined efforts could help manage the ecological shift and protect Arctic marine life from further disruption.
The presence of orcas in the Arctic is just one of the many signs that our planet is shifting — but the good news is that there are still steps we can take to protect the delicate balance of this unique and vital ecosystem.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Mercury from centuries-old pollution still circulating in oceans, study finds
Toxins released by long-extinguished fossil fuel fires and gold smelters are showing up in the bodies of Arctic wildlife, according to new research pointing to mercury released by pollution hundreds of years ago still circulating in ocean currents. A paper published on Thursday in Nature Communications sought to untangle a paradox: why levels of the potent neurotoxin mercury in Arctic whales and polar bears are increasing — despite steps the world has taken to curb mercury pollution. Those levels are now 20 to 30 times higher in Arctic wildlife than they were before the industrial era began, even as global mercury pollution has fallen since the 1970s. 'We've monitored mercury in Arctic animals for over 40 years. Despite declining global emissions since the 1970s, we see no corresponding decrease in Arctic concentrations — on the contrary,' coauthor Rune Dietz of Aarhus University, said in a statement. The researchers' conclusion: mercury released by pollution hundreds of years ago is still circulating in ocean currents, which convey it up to the Arctic. The findings come amid reports that the Trump administration is seeking to overturn rules limiting the release of mercury from U.S. power plants — a step that reverses a long campaign to slow its accumulation in the atmosphere. If these U.S. changes take place, the findings suggest, they will continue to contaminate the environment well into the 2300s. Mercury — particularly forms that have been processed by bacteria — wreaks havoc on the brain and body, disrupting the ability of humans and animals to move, sense and think. While a global effort has been successful in cutting levels of mercury in the atmosphere, Thursday's findings point to a mystery: levels of the toxin in the muscle and tissue of top predators like seals and polar bears are still going up. In addition to being released into the environment from burning fossil fuels, mercury is also used to purify gold extracted in small-scale or wildcat mining — a practice that is still common in the world's forests, but has significantly decreased from its 19th Century peak. In gold rushes like those in 1850s California or the modern Amazon, miners used mercury to bind together gold together from a slurry of dirt and ore, and then burn it off to leave pure gold — sending the mercury into the atmosphere. From there, mercury rains down onto the land and flows into lakes and rivers, where bacteria break it down — as well as into the oceans, where that breakdown can take as much as 300 years. The same quality that lets mercury pull together gold flakes gives it an insidious role in the environment because animals cannot easily purge it from their bodies. That means mercury levels concentrate in the bodies of top predators — whether bears or humans. The long duration of mercury in oceans gives it time to make its own epic journey from 19th Century smelters to the modern Arctic, the scientists found. 'Transport of mercury from major sources like China to Greenland via ocean currents can take up to 150 years,' Dietz said. 'This helps explain the lack of decline in Arctic mercury levels.' Though China is working to phase out mercury mining and pollution from coal, the findings suggest a long lag time. Even if mercury pollution continues to decrease, the scientists projected, its levels will continue to go up in the Arctic.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Experts raise red flags over alarming new threat that could devastate the Amazon: 'The ecosystem as a whole loses resilience'
Amazonian fish are facing an alarming new threat. A series of extreme droughts is drying up the region's rivers and wetlands — and scientists say the consequences could be devastating for both wildlife and local communities. According to a recent report from Mongabay, the Amazon is experiencing some of the lowest water levels in recorded history. In Brazil's Lake Tefé, water temperatures soared above 102 degrees Fahrenheit in late 2023, killing thousands of fish. In the same area, over 150 Amazon river dolphins also died, likely due to the same extreme conditions. Fish species like tambaqui, aracu, and piramutaba — many of which are vital to local fisheries — are especially vulnerable to warming waters, low oxygen, and disrupted migration patterns. "However, if many species are lost, the remaining populations become more vulnerable and the ecosystem as a whole loses resilience," researcher Priit Zingel told Mongabay. Experts link this crisis to a combination of rising global temperatures, prolonged drought, and widespread deforestation — all of which are disrupting the water cycle across the Amazon Basin. More than 30 million people live in the Amazon region, many of whom depend on rivers for food and income. When fish populations crash, so do local economies and food security. This isn't just about one region. Similar challenges are unfolding globally. Italy's Adriatic Sea shows how warming waters are harming coastal communities, and scientists in Florida are sounding alarms about ancient sturgeon species in decline due to shifting river conditions. If extreme droughts in the Amazon continue, both biodiversity and human livelihoods could face long-term harm — setting back progress toward a safer, more sustainable future. Local leaders and researchers are advocating for better water and forest management, stronger environmental protections, and coordinated global efforts to reduce the pollution fueling these extremes. Tools like NASA's sea-level tracking platform and expanded conservation funding are helping scientists better understand and respond to these challenges. Individuals can support change by staying informed, talking with family and friends, and taking local action. Understanding how this crisis connects to global trends — including threats to fish in the Mekong River and the broader Amazon drought — is key to building the momentum needed for real solutions. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Using AI to protect caribou migration in a changing Arctic
A machine learning tool is offering new hope for one of Canada's most vulnerable caribou migrations. Researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to predict when and where the Dolphin and Union caribou will cross the sea ice between Victoria Island and the mainland of Nunavut — a migration that takes place each spring and fall but has become more dangerous as climate change thins the ice and shipping traffic climbs. Caribou can drown if they try to cross ice that is unstable, and the risk increases when icebreakers and other vessels move through the area — and the ships are arriving in greater numbers than ever before. The tool called IceNet can help protect caribou by warning when migration conditions may be dangerous. 'Climate change is causing Arctic sea ice to recede and become less stable — which also means the region is becoming more accessible for ships,' said Ellen Bowler, a machine learning research scientist at the British Antarctic Survey who worked to develop the tool in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute, the World Wildlife Fund and Nunavut government. 'This combination of threats could have fatal consequences for iconic animals like caribou.' Saving a vanishing herd The Dolphin and Union caribou herd once numbered around 100,000 but dropped sharply in the early 1900s. The population grew again later in the century, but that recovery did not last. By 1997, there were about 34,000 caribou, and by 2020, only around 3,800 remained. When numbers dropped very low in the past, the migration even stopped for a time. Elders and local hunters have reported even sharper declines, more sick and skinny animals, and fewer calves surviving. In 2017, the herd was officially listed as endangered, with experts warning of 'imminent extinction' if these threats continue. Now, by analyzing decades of data collected by government agencies, Inuit hunters and community researchers, the new AI system can predict the start of caribou migration up to three weeks in advance — giving vessel operators time to adjust their routes or pause shipping during this critical migration period. 'Instead of just forecasting sea ice concentration, we can actually start to forecast when they're most likely to migrate in a given year,' Bowler said. Brandon Laforest, lead specialist for Arctic conservation at WWF Canada, works directly with Inuit communities on conservation priorities in Nunavut. He said that the technology offers a promising solution to a well-documented problem . Inuit hunters and elders have seen caribou hesitate at the ice edge, fall through or abandon their usual crossing spots. Some animals try to cross where an icebreaker has left open water or broken ice, but get exhausted, drown or freeze if they can't climb back onto the ice. 'It gives caribou a fighting chance to continue their migration,' Laforest said. Bowler said their team was initially searching for case studies where their Arctic-wide sea ice forecasting tool could have real, local impact. 'The Dolphin and Union caribou stood out because their migration is so closely tied to sea ice, and because icebreaking vessels are directly disrupting their routes,' Bowler said. She said the system is designed to supplement local knowledge in Nunavut, not replace it. 'You hear in other AI stories, 'It's going to take everyone's jobs,' or like 'It's to replace humans.' It's definitely not about that. It's like providing information that people might not currently have or that isn't really accurate enough currently to act on properly,' she said. Early warnings for a changing Arctic Most North American caribou never cross sea ice, but the Dolphin and Union herd, collectively known to locals as Island caribou, cross twice a year — heading to the mainland of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories for winter and returning to the island for summer. The only other caribou known to do it are the much smaller Peary caribou. 'This is one very specific group of caribou, the Dolphin and Union herd, who very predictably go to the northern edge of the mainland of Canada, cross the sea ice to Victoria Island, spend their time there, give birth to their young, and then migrate back. It's an integral part of the biology of that herd, and it's pretty unique,' Laforest said. As the Arctic warms, the ice is becoming thinner, which has led to an increase in shipping traffic in migration corridors like Queen Maud Gulf, Dease Strait, and Dolphin and Union Strait. Icebreakers can also slow down the formation of new ice, leaving open water where caribou need to cross. The risks are not limited to wildlife. The same stretches of sea ice are used by residents travelling between communities, often by snow machine, making unpredictable or broken ice a danger for people, as well. Protecting more than a species Laforest said the connection between wildlife and community well-being is especially strong in the Arctic, where caribou are central to the lives of Inuit and Inuvialuit communities for food security and cultural identity. They are working hard to protect caribou habitat while balancing environmental concerns with economic development. 'It's not only for food security reasons, but also for cultural continuity,' Laforest said. The latest draft of the Nunavut Land Use Plan proposes restrictions on icebreaking through sea ice used by Island caribou for migration, but the plan is still under review and not yet in effect. Learning as we go The IceNet project is described by researchers as a first attempt to see if technology can help solve a conservation crisis identified by northern communities. Researchers say the approach is collaborative, combining AI forecasting with local expertise. 'It's meant to contribute to holistic, more locally led processes to create solutions that work with people and the wildlife of that region. It's very admittedly, sterile work from a long ways away, but it's trying to use data to address a problem that community members have identified,' Laforest said. 'But in no way is anyone saying this is the only solution. It's more of trying to stay on the edge of technology and trying to apply that technology to address concerns raised by communities as it relates to wildlife.' Lapointe, a trained polar bear biologist who now describes himself as a generalist, said that if they can improve the tool's predictability, they hope to apply the tool to other species, including polar bears at the southern edge of their range. For polar bears, the tool could predict their arrival on land near communities, providing early warnings and helping to mitigate human-polar bear conflict, said Bowler. The technology could also track whale migration corridors to reduce shipping risks and monitor walrus haul-outs, which become vulnerable as sea ice disappears. Researchers say that IceNet is still in its early stage, with ongoing improvements expected as on-the-ground observations and local knowledge are added. 'It's not about coming in with all the answers. The project is about working with local experts, using their data, and seeing if this technology can make a difference.' Bowler said. 'It's a pilot, and we're learning as we go.' Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
