Poster Print Size: This poster template is 44” high by 44” wide. It can be used to print any poster with a 1:1 aspect ratio.

Placeholders: The various elements included in this poster are ones we often see in medical, research, and scientific posters. Feel free to edit, move, add, and delete items, or change the layout to suit your needs. Always check with your conference organizer for specific requirements.

Image Quality: You can place digital photos or logo art in your poster file by selecting the Insert, Picture command, or by using standard copy & paste. For best results, all graphic elements should be at least 150-200 pixels per inch in their final printed size. For instance, a 1600 x 1200 pixel photo will usually look fine up to 8“-10” wide on your printed poster.

To preview the print quality of images, select a magnification of 100% when previewing your poster. This will give you a good idea of what it will look like in print. If you are laying out a large poster and using half-scale dimensions, be sure to preview your graphics at 200% to see them at their final printed size.

Please note that graphics from websites (such as the logo on your hospital's or university's home page) will only be 72dpi and not suitable for printing.

[This sidebar area does not print.]

Change Color Theme: This template is designed to use the built-in color themes in the newer versions of PowerPoint.

To change the color theme, select the Design tab, then select the Colors drop-down list.

The default color theme for this template is “Office”, so you can always return to that after trying some of the alternatives.

Printing Your Poster: Once your poster file is ready, visit www.genigraphics.com to order a high-quality, affordable poster print. Every order receives a free design review and we can deliver as fast as next business day within the US and Canada.

Genigraphics® has been producing output from PowerPoint® longer than anyone in the industry; dating back to when we helped Microsoft® design the PowerPoint® software.

US and Canada: 1-800-790-4001

Email: info@genigraphics.com

[This sidebar area does not print.]

Whales: Giants of the Deep Samantha Pappert

Anitei, Stefan. “14 Amazing Facts about Whales.” Softpedia. 17 Oct 2007 Web. 5 Dec 2014.

Bio Expedition. “The Portal of Life on Earth, Biodiversity, Animal Facts.”

http://www.whale-world.com/whale-research/

“Cetaceans.” Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. Web. 4 Dec 2014.

http://www.riverheadfoundation.org/cetaceans/

“Characteristics and Behavior.” Infoplease. Web. 7 Dec 2014.

http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/whale-characteristics-behavior.html

“Characteristics- Order of Cetaceans.” Whales, LCC (1996) Web. 12 Dec 2014.

http://www.whalesfilm.com/order.htm

Newell, Carrie and Jacobs, Stefan. “The First Captive Killer Whales-A Changing Attitude.” Whale

Research. 1998. Web. 4 Dec 2014. http://www.rockisland.com/~orcasurv/changing.htm

“The fate of Captive Orcas in 2014.” WDC.

http://us.whales.org/wdc-in-action/fate-of-captive-orcas-in-2014

“Threats to whales and dolphins.” WWF.

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/threats/

“Whales BC.” North Studio. Web. 7 Dec 2014. http://www.whalesbc.com/orca_killer_whales.html

“Whale Facts.” Whalefacts. 2014. Web. 7 Dec 2014. http://www.whalefacts.org/how-long-do-

whales-live/#wrap

“8 Reasons Orcas Don’t Belong at Seaworld.” PETA. 2014. Web. 4 Dec 2014.

http://www.seaworldofhurt.com/features/8-reasons-orcas-dont-belong-seaworld/

References

Whales are part of the Cetacean Order which divides into two more specific suborders: Odontoceti, toothed whales and Mysticeti, baleen whales. Despite their size, they are one of the most serene aquatic animals. Their highly convoluted brains continue to surprise researchers. Their strong family bonds are one of their natural instincts that stays with them throughout their entire lives. The biggest Cetacean in the world is on its way to becoming extinct. Although whales don’t have any natural predators, humans pose as their most dangerous threat. People from all over the world pour into aquatic theme parks or whale watching tours in order to appreciate these animals at a personal level. However, they aren’t aware of how detrimental captivity is physiologically or physically to the whales. Every species of whale has drastically decreased due to commercial capture and whaling.

Abstract

In their marine environment whales have no natural predators. Although, every species of whale has reduced in

numbers due to the threats that humans pose on them. Many marine animals continue to be threatened by

entanglement in fishing gear, climate change, ship collisions, toxic contamination, oil and gas development, habitat

degradation and whaling. All of these scenarios negatively affect the whale population, but intensive commercial

whaling has caused the most damage in whale numbers. (Threats to whales and dolphins) Whaling involves a massive

“Factory Ship” that not only catches the whales with it’s harpoon guns, but loads them onto the vessel. The whaling

process is ruthless and brutal which has diminished the majority of the whale population. Although numerous

conservation efforts have been making progress, the whale population has struggled to regain its numbers. Countries

claim that they are scientific whaling in order to obtain ways to help future cetacean management. Whale meat and

blubber is also highly desired for international trade. (The Fate of Captive Orcas in 2014) If this method of capture

continues all species of whales will be extinct. Humans are the reason for the continual destruction of their living

environments. The massive accumulation of waste pollutes our oceans causing a change in marine animals living

environments.

Characteristics

Whales migrate further than any other marine mammal. The majority of whales migrate in pods. Size can range from two to several thousands of individuals. The main objective of migrating is for feeding, breeding and temperature. (Bio Expedition) Toothless whales migrate annually to give birth in warm water and eat in colder waters. (Anitei) A calf is born every two or three years with the gestation period lasting nine and a half to seventeen months. Unlike other mammals, a calf has the ability to swim immediately after birth. The mother helps push them to the surface for their first breath. (Cetaceans) In four to five years whales will reach sexual maturity and by the time their ten years old they will be full grown. (Anitei) Orcas develop social groups that can range from two to fifteen individuals. There’s no way to duplicate a whales natural instinct to migrate within the confines of captivity. Therefore the whales that are bred in captivity don’t develop the natural adaptations they are supposed to. Researchers conclude that is the reason why it is difficult for captive whales to breed in captivity since they can’t fulfill their internal need to follow the migration process. (The Fate of Captive Orcas in 2014)

Migration Patterns/family

With the aid of appealing propaganda, theme parks with animals as their main attraction draw in millions of people each

year. The public is under the common misconception that the industry tends to the animals’ needs before receiving a profit.

Marine animals are forced to endure psychological distresses when kept in confinement. Theme parks keep the animals in

a controlled environment which weakens their immune system, resulting in an increased chance of infection. In late 2014 a

recorded total of fifty-six orcas held in captivity in eight different countries. Orcas weighting over 6 tons are being held

captive in small concrete tanks. (Whales BC) This gives reason as to why orcas average age in captivity is about nine; less

than half the age of orcas in the wild. The whales within the walls of tanks would have to swim around the pool 1,900 times

in order to make up for the 100 miles they would swim in the wild. (8 Reasons) There is also a strong social hierarchy that

whales develop in the wild which allow them the option to get away in open water if violence was to ever occur. The whales

that are held in compact environments develop anxiety and stress, resulting in injuries and death. Since 1961 at least 148

orcas have been captured for commercial use, resulting in 126 of them dead. (WDC) Orcas are vulnerable for capture in

any of our oceans. A common tactic for Fishermen to catch orcas is by using sonar to locate the whales and then herd

them together. A three acre net is then released and slung to ensure capture. The whales are then transported back to

land by being dragged behind the boat and put into flatbeds and sold. There have been four human deaths by captive

orcas as well as twelve seriously injured. Due to the similar size of whale brains in comparison to human brains

researchers concluded from the violence that they could be retaliating because it’s not out of instincts due to them having

no natural predators. Due to the technological advances there is no reason to capture animals for scientific research.

Captivity

Although whales have no natural predators they are on their way to becoming endangered due to human

influence. These extraordinary animals have influenced many cultures throughout the world. Killer whales,

aside from the irony of the name, haven’t killed a human in the wild although we’re constantly increasing

their chances of being extinct. Researchers don’t understand why they aren’t more violent towards

humans, but the whales have deemed us worthy to coexist, so why don’t we do the same. Numerous

conservation efforts have been set in place, but people continue to find ways around. Organizations such

as the Greenpeace, IFAW, and WWF have been making a positive impact. Greenpeace is one of the

leading whale defenders, ensuring that they are safe in their own environment and avoid getting extinct.

Whales are the largest marine mammals that occupy all of our oceans. There are two types of whales: toothed whales,

suborder Odontoceti, and baleen, suborder Mysticeti, which compose the Cetacean order. Cetaceans are warm blooded

mammals that are fully adapted to living in the marine environment. Dolphins, porpoises, narwhals, and killer whales are

also part of this order. (Characteristics-Order of Cetaceans) Collectively a total of seventy-five species of cetaceans

composed of eleven families. (Characteristics-Order of Cetaceans) Toothed whales are carnivorous and can range from

four to sixty feet long. (BioExpedition) Many of them use echolocation to hunt and navigate through the ocean. There are

three families within the toothless whale group. The blue whale is the largest animal being over one-hundred feet long and

can weigh 150 tons. (Anitei ) There is also only one percent of blue whale population still remaining. (WDC) They are filter

feeders that prey on filter feeders and krill. Keratin sheets replace the teeth in baleen whales. During mating season,

toothless male humpback whales sing a song to attract the females. . Although it’s believed that the songs also are used to

alarm, locate prey and social interaction. Whales also lunge their bodies out of the water in order to intimidate others in

order to make a statement or impress females known as breaching. (Anitei) Both are very intelligent due to their highly

convoluted brains. (Characteristics and Behavior) The warm-blooded cetaceans give birth to live young and produce milk

to nurture them for the next six to twelve months. Their insulating layer of blubber provides them with warmth and

buoyancy which helps them breathe air every 3-20 minutes from their blowholes. Blubber also provides the ability to store

energy enabling them to survive during long periods of starvation. Whales rely on their dorsal fins and flippers in order to

balance and swim. In the wild, the giants of the sea can live up to one-hundred years. (Whale Facts)

Threats/Whaling

REPLACE THIS BOX WITH YOUR

ORGANIZATION’S HIGH RESOLUTION

LOGO

REPLACE THIS BOX WITH YOUR

ORGANIZATION’S HIGH RESOLUTION

LOGO

Humpback whale

Courtesy of: animals.nationalgeographic.com

The most active whale defense, Greenpeace,

spreading awareness.

Courtesy of: greenpeaceblogs.org

Whale in the wild launching itself out of the water. Breaching is used to distinguish leadership within

a pod or to attract females. Courtesy of:

voices.nationalgeographic.com

A breaching humpback whale.

Courtesy of:www.worldwildlife.org

Mass Strandings

Conservation Efforts

Mass strandings are when animals intentionally commit suicide by getting swept up onto shore and suffocate. The most accepted theory for these strandings are connected to Earth’s electromagnetism. Past strandings have occurred when there were impairments in the Earth’s geomagnetic field while Cetaceans were migrating. Other scenarios such as poisoning, parasites, contamination, death of a leader or impairments in their echolocation have been thought to contribute to the strandings. Another theory is correlated to the Navy’s sonar blasts. An event in New Zealand resulted in fifty-nine sperm whales stranding themselves. (Anitei ) More recently, on December 8, 2014 seven sperm whales washed up onto an Australian beach. A noise disruption in the ocean, impairing their sonar is believed to what caused this.

Orcas being herded into nets

Courtesy of: Seattle times

How Whales in Captivity Began In 1961 “Marineland of the Pacific” captured the first killer whale off of California’s coast. The female Orca appeared to be

sick, and died within the next two days after ramming her head into the tanks’ wall. The second capture on record was in

1964. The whale, referred to as Moby Doll, was captured in order to create a realistic model for an aquarium display. Moby

Doll lived in captivity for a surprising eighty-seven days until the harbors’ low salinity gave him a skin disease. Due to Moby

Doll’s calm and obedient demeanor, killer whales’ reputation drastically changed. In 1965 an unintentional capture of a

twenty-two foot, five ton Orca by two Fishermen was auctioned for eight-thousand dollars. Ted Griffin wanted to expand his

small Seattle Public Zoo by including this whale, soon to be recognized as Namu. Namu was transported 450 miles to

Seattle in a floating pen. During the transport, Namu emitted what’s assumed to be calls for help. Around thirty to forty

Orcas responded to Namu’s cries, three of them traveling 150 miles alongside him. Griffin had always wanted to form a

bond with the five ton creature. He knew how intelligent killer whales were and the potential bond that he could develop

with this whale. Yet, Ted Griffin was unaware of how much he’d influence the lives of future whales. Namu attracted

thousands of people on the first day of his debut. Griffin’s intention was to dispel the killer whale’s misunderstood

reputation. He studied Namu’s behavior and moods for a month before deciding to swim alongside him. After a successful

initial interaction, Namu and Griffin performed together for eleven months before Namu died from a bacterial infection. An

epidemic of whale capture soon began. Griffin signed to a new partnership which resulted in 262 whales being captured to

be sold to other aquariums. (The First Captive Killer Whales-A Changing Attitude) Despite Griffin’s harmless intentions, he

influenced recreational whaling, leading the way to marine abuse in captivity.

An adult and juvenile orca Courtsey of: galleryhip.com

This graph depicts the amount of whales caught from

1909-1910 to 2000-2001 by species. As technology

continued to develop whalers discontinued targeting

humpback whales and moved onto faster swimming

mammals such as the Blue Whale. Notice a trend,

whaling from biggest to smallest as each species

population continued to decline. The gap in the graph

is at 1946, when the International Convention for the

Regulation of Whaling was signed.

Courtesy of: Cool Antarctica

One of the seven sperm whales that died in

Australia. Courtesy of : Vicki Freer of

Supplied