Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium rears several species of toothed whales including false killer whales, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, and rough-toothed dolphins. Our goal is that the research we conduct in captivity gives us a better understanding of their ecology and helps conserve these species in the wild.
Currently, we are collaborating with a Hawaiian research organization to research false killer whales. In Hawaiian waters there are populations of endangered false killer whales and only 135 individuals have been confirmed. Therefore, to help conserve this population, there are new measures to prevent bycatch by fishing. Research is being conducted using drones to measure body length and width, and therefore determine their health.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, cooperated with a Hawaiian false killer whale research team, by taking accurate measurements of the false killer whales that are reared here at the aquarium. We used a drone to remeasure their body length and width, and could then deduce the degree of error between the accurate measurements and the measurements made with a drone. This is necessary to correct the drone measurements taken of individuals in the wild. We have also initiated a study to measure the metabolic rate of false killer whales by the analysis of blood and respiration. By collecting data and behavioral observations of captive individuals, which would be difficult in the wild, we aim to help conserve individuals in the wild. We will continue to focus our research on captive individuals in cooperation with domestic and international researchers.

Research on a false killer whale being conducted at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium