Dear Marmamers,
Myself (Georgina Gemmell- Orca Project Sri Lanka) and Tim Collins (Wildlife Conservation Society) are currently in the early stages of a new and exciting collaborative project- to compile a regional Photo ID catalogue of killer whales sighted in the Northern Indian Ocean (including the Persian Gulf and Red Sea). The populations of killer whales that inhabit this area remain some the most mysterious and under studied in the world. Due to their offshore nature, sighting records are often few and far between with much of the research effort relying on a citizen science based network. In order to advance our understanding of these populations and for local studies to mutually benefit from a wider network of information, we would like to propose an alliance (tentatively the Northern Indian Ocean Killer Whale Alliance) between the cetacean study groups and researchers across the region, where images of killer whale sightings are contributed to a regional Photo ID catalogue. Already the project is showing great potential, with several contributions from citizen science based sources and researchers. Even at this early stage, the catalogue has revealed some interesting localized ID matches. In time, it may also reveal information regarding population numbers, ecotypes, site fidelity and movements between countries. All images and data shared are fully credited to the photographer(s)/and or research study. The catalogue will also credit the local research in each area to ensure that it remains an inclusive effort. Any existing local killer whale catalogues will be acknowledged, with the corresponding catalogue codes included for each individual. We are currently requesting images and records of killer whales from the Northern Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Any researchers or study groups interested in joining the alliance, please contact georgina.wildoce...@gmail.com. All the best Georgina Gemmell -- *Georgina Gemmell* Lead Administrator, Orca Project Sri Lanka
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