Scientists working with the Nautilus Exploration Program in the Gulf of Mexico had an exciting adventure this week after experiencing a giant sperm whale encounter. The event was recorded via a live webcam stream, which has now gone viral on Facebook and social media venues.
Excitement Over The Rare Sperm Whale Encounter
The whale was filmed as it glided around, inspecting the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Hercules, nearly 2,000 feet below the ocean off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico.
Part of the reason the sperm whale encounter is so exciting is due to the fact that sperm whales are on the endangered species list, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In addition, the sperm whale is rarely seen traveling in the waters off the Louisiana shore.
These huge whales are the largest toothed predators in the world and can be more than 70 feet or 21-meters in length. They are also the loudest, and can produce noise up to 230 decibels. At the peak of the 20th century, they were nearly hunted to extinction, with more than 25,000 of them killed every year. Since that time, the whales have started to make a comeback, although they are still considered rare and endangered.
Nautilus Program Explores And Studies Ocean Depths
The Nautilus program is the first part of a six-month long expedition all over the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico area. The scientists involved in the program are currently exploring the ocean floor and conducting research on how a deep-water oil spill five years ago has affected the ocean’s ecosystem. At the time of the sperm whale encounter, the crew was mapping the Galapagos Rift and also studying how ocean life lives and grows around hydrothermal vents that exist on the sea floor.
The Nautilus crew placed the video of the sperm whale encounter on their Facebook page for nature fans to peruse. In the video, the giant sea mammal seems very curious about the Nautilus, as it makes several close inspections as it passes the area. The sperm whale was likely a young one, since it was only about half the size of a full grown whale. To see the video, click here.
The ocean is an exciting and mysterious place, the perfect site for adventure, as depicted in “Air & Water.”
