VIDEO: How Hungry Humpback Whales Work Smarter, Not Harder — Alaska Wildlife Alliance (AWA)

Text “beluga” to 833-541-0408 to get our text alert when critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales are spotted in the Kenai or Kasilof Rivers! If you have trouble signing up, try texting “UNSTOP” to the same number.

VIDEO: How Hungry Humpback Whales Work Smarter, Not Harder

Missed last week’s Wildlife Wednesday presentation with Madison Kosma? Watch it here!

Over the past decade, hatchery managers in Southeast Alaska have reported humpback whales feeding on newly released juvenile salmon, with some whales coming back to the hatchery year after year to feed. Innovative technology has enabled aerial perspectives that greatly enhance our understanding about how these dynamic whales aggregate, capture, and manipulate prey. Watch what scientists have been speculating about for almost 90 years and finally see it with your own eyes!

Madison Kosma followed humpback whales from Hawaii to Alaska, and spent several years studying these whales in Sitka. Her research on the foraging tactics and diets of humpback whales in Southeast Alaska earned her a master's degree in 2019. Madison is currently working on Cook Inlet beluga whale issues as an Alaska Sea Grant Fellow with NOAA Fisheries.