Crossbow Conservation: WWF Mission to Study Climate Change Impact on Antarctic Whales

The research mission, led by wildlife charity WWF, aims to better understand the implications of climate change on the food supply of Antarctic whales. Conservation scientists are using a custom-made crossbow to study the health of these giant animals by taking remote biopsies from wild humpback whales. This effort is shedding light on how climate change is impacting the marine ecosystem in this fragile environment.

As sea ice continues to decline at an alarming rate, the bodies of these whales serve as indicators of the broader effects on the marine ecosystem. BBC science correspondent Victoria Gill joined the team in the Antarctic Peninsula to document their work. With footage captured by Phill Edwards and production by Kate Stephens, the documentary provides a glimpse into the efforts to protect Antarctic whales and their environment.

The full documentary can be viewed on BBC iplayer, offering a firsthand look at the important research being conducted in this remote region. Victoria Gill’s editing further highlights the significance of this conservation work, which has far-reaching implications for our planet’s marine ecosystems.