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SPECIAL EDITION
8 PAGES B O N U S
W H A L E F E AT U R E
Dominica The Ultimate
W H A L E WATC H I N G T R AV E L G U I D E
WHAT TO EXPECT, WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING AND ALL THE EXCITING FEATURES THAT DOMINICA HAS TO OFFER!
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Editorial Note
Publisher: Barbados Museum & Historical Society Editor: Kerron Hamblin Contributors: Roshanna Trim Philippa Murray Danielle Benjamin Marketing Officer: Christine Franklyn Design/ Layout Kerron Hamblin - Kreative Studios
For questions about, or suggestions on BMHS Insider, please contact Kerron Hamblin at Tel: (246) 427-0201 Fax: (246) 429-5946 or email:nathist@barbmuse.org.bb ___________________________________________ BMHS Insider is produced by the Barbados Museum & Historical Society. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented here is accurate. This publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the Publisher.
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So you want to see some whales? Well, you’ve come to the right place! This whale watching tour has been in the works for just about one year. An intensive year of planning has finally come to an end. It’s time to head to Dominica and the BMHS Insider is here to give you all of the inside details. This trip promises to be one of the most exciting ones with a 90% chance of seeing whales off Dominica’s coast. That being said, however, there are absolutely no guarantees when it comes to nature. In the event that we are in the unlucky 10%, don’t feel too bad, we’ve organised a range of fun-filled activities that are sure to be just as exciting as any cetacean encounter. In this edition, you’ll find out more about the tour, what to expect, learn about Dominica and its indigenous people and you’ll even get a chance to get better acquainted with the Caribbean’s gentle giants before meeting them face to face. If that isn’t enough to get you interested,, you can also get a sneak peak of some of the added attractions on the trip. It promises to be an awe-filled adventure; see you in the NATURE ISLE!
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Kerron Hamblin EDITOR
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WAI’TUKUBULI The Kalinago translation for the island of Dominica is Wai’tukubuli which literally translates as „Tall is her body“; paying homage to the island’s mountainous terrain.
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Welcome to
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DOMINICA - A HISTORY
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he Commonwealth of Dominica sits in the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. Geologically, it is one of the youngest islands (only 26 million years old), rising directly out of the sea. The island was first settled around 3100 B.C. by the Ortoroids from South America until they mysteriously disappeared around 400 B.C. The islands remained unsettled until 400 A.D. when it was inhabited by the Arawaks until 1400 A.D. when the Kalinago eliminated them from the Caribbean region (including Dominica), moving aggressively up the island chain from South America. Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica’s fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia Charles, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.
THE PEOPLE Dominica is home to a wide range of people. Although it was historically occupied by several native tribes, the Arawaks and Kalinago Carib tribes remained by the time European settlers reached the island. «Massacre» is a name of a river dedicated to the murders of the Native villagers by French and British settlers, because the river ran red with blood for days. Each (French and British) claimed the island and imported slaves from Africa. The remaining Caribs now live on a 3,700-acre (15 km2) territory on the east coast of the island. They elect their own chief. This mix of cultures is important to Dominica.
THE NATURE ISLE Long regarded as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, it is truly a nature lovers dream... a mountain range with several peaks approaching 5,000ft. cloaked in tropical rainforest and lush vegetation. Dominica boasts a river for each day of the year. Waterfalls, lakes and thermal hot springs are in abundance. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, home of many rare plant, animal, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou Parrot (also known as the Imperial Amazon), the island’s national bird, is featured on the national flag. Dominica’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture and heavy taxation.
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ANCHORAGE HOTEL Lounge by the pool or enjoy the ocean breeze at the beautiful Anchorage Hotel.
WHAT TO WEAR?
Camcorder/ camera
Hat
Helpful Tips! 1. WEATHER
Accommodation
Sunscreen Medication Water bottle Snacks Extra batteries
Accommodation will be provided by the Anchorage Hotel. An ideal location for family, friends, adventure seekers, divers and whale watchers, the Anchorage Hotel is perched on the edge of the tranquil Caribbean Sea, only one mile south of Dominica’s capital Roseau.
Lightweight clothing that can get wet
HOTEL FACILITIES POOLSIDE ROOMS Spacious , air conditioned en-suite rooms 2 double beds or 1 queen sized bed Island styled furnishings Direct Dial Telephones High Speed Internet Cable Television Hot & Cold Showers
Rubber soled Shoes
OCEANFRONT ROOMS Spacious , air conditioned en-suite rooms 2 double beds or 1 queen sized bed Island styled furnishings Direct Dial Telephones High Speed Internet Cable Television Hot & Cold Showers Mini fridge Coffee Maker FACILITIES 5 Star PADI Dive Facility Fleet of 4 Dive & Whale watch vessels Carib Bar & Poolside Lounge Ocean Terrace Restaurant Mounted Sperm Whale Skelton
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WHAT TO EXPECT? O
ver the past 20 years, the Anchorage Hotel has been the pioneer in the whale watching industry in the Caribbean and has caused Dominica to be chosen as the preferred destination for the sighting of deep diving sperm whales. In addition to sperm whales, there are are regular sightings of pilot whales, as well as a number of dolphin species.
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eep an open mind! Whales are wild animals. They aren’t trained to stay in a certain area, or put on a show. If you are looking to see specific whales do specific activities, the best place to do that is in an aquarium or marine park like Sea World. Remember that the photos you see on brochures and web sites are likely the best photos taken from many years of whale watches, and while you may see those things, they are likely not every day sightings. Enjoy the whole experience, from smelling and breathing in the fresh ocean air, observing the birds and other marine life you see on the trip, and being away from your office or home etc. and out at sea for the day!
During January, the average temperature in Dominica is between 22oC - 28oC, with a 20.7% chance of rain. You may wish to pack a light jacket and a poncho, in case of rain.
2. MOTION SICKNESS Not very many people get seasick on these tours, however, if you are prone to motion sickness, it is advised that you purchase and administer motionsickness medication, prior to boarding the boat.
3. CAMERA READY Have your camera ready to record your experience! Make sure that you are able to secure it while at sea. The last thing anyone wants to hear is ‘‘Camera overboard!“
BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE, PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS. ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
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WHALE BEHAVIOURS
Whale Watching
Surfacing behavious are quite common among marine mammals. Below are some of the surfacing behaviours exhibited by whales. BREACHING
Dominica is the Whale Watching capital of the Caribbean. During the peak season of November through to May, visitors have the opportunity to see the 22 different species of cetaceans that grace the island’s waters at an 80% sighting rate. SPYHOPPING
Here a few of the whales that you may see on the trip.
When spyhopping, the whale rises and holds position partially out of the water, often exposing its entire rostrum and head, and is visually akin to a human treading water. Spyhopping is controlled and slow, and can last for minutes at a time if the whale is sufficiently inquisitive about whatever (or whomever) it is viewing.
A breach is a genuine jump with an intent to clear the water. Sperm whales perform a breach by traveling vertically upwards from depth, and heading straight out of the water. Others, such as the humpback whale, travel close to the surface and parallel to it, and then jerk upwards at full speed to perform a breach.
LOBTAILING
LUNGING
Lobtailing is the act of a whale or dolphin lifting its flukes out of the water and then bringing them down onto the surface of the water hard and fast in order to make a loud slap.
A lunge is the result of a fast upward sloping swim, perhaps as a result of feeding, that has caused the whale to clear the surface of the water unintentionally.
SPERM WHALE
TOOTHED WHALES The toothed whales (Odontoceti) are characterized by the presence of teeth rather than the baleen of other whales.
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BRYDE’S WHALE
ORCA
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BALEEN WHALES The baleen whales or great whales (Mysticeti) Baleen whales are characterized by having baleen plates for filtering food from water, rather than having teeth.
HUMPBACK
LOGGING Logging is a behaviour that whales exhibit when at rest. It is defined as lying without forward movement at the surface of the water. The dorsal fin or parts of the back are exposed.
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With a head that makes up about a third of its body, the sperm whale is named after the spermaceti oil( milky white waxy substance), believed to be semen, found in its head. A giant of the water, the sperm whale can weigh over 45 tons, reach heights of over 59 feet and lengths 70ft.
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These now rare predators are found in seawater all around the world. Feeding on several species, such as octopus, squid and large fish but has a taste for giant squid. Not only is it one of the largest animals in the world but it is also one of the deepest divers, along with the elephant seal and bottlenose dolphin; diving to depths of nearly 500 metres and remaining there for over half an hour at a time. Sperm whales have around 50 large teeth in total, which are cone-shaped and weigh about 1kg each. The female sperm whales are able to reproduce when they are around 10 years and can live beyond the age of 70 years. After a 14-16 month gestation period the calf is born. The calf is breast fed for a period of two years.
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R E T E R M AC
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Today, because of centuries of hunting, the population of sperm whales is thought to be endangered in the wild. Although the population of sperm whales is said to be stronger than the other species of whales, sperm whales are now also threatened by other factors, including noise and chemical pollution in water.
1. CLICK.CLICK.CLICK Sperm whales communicate by means of clicks that can be heard from up to 10 km away underwater. The oil or spermaceti that’s found in the whale’s head may be used to focus these sounds. Research has shown that the clicks probably communicate complex behavioural information and coded identification.
2. DIVE MASTER Sperm whales are excellent divers, routinely diving 800 metres, with adults males diving to more than 3 000 metres, where the water is just above freezing, there is total darkness and extreme pressure.
3. MOBY DICK The fictional whale, Moby Dick was actually a sperm whale.
4. BIG BABY Although the female may stop lactating between 1 1/2 – 4 years the baby whale may still suckle until it reaches 12 years although it is unlikely that the baby whale will continue for that long. Baby whales also aren’t tied down to feeding strictly from its biological mother and may feed from other females in the group.
BLOW IT OUT! A sperm whale has a telltale foward angled blow of carbon dioxide and water vapour.
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Bryde’s (pronounced ‘‘brewdus“) whales are members of the baleen whale family and are considered one of the ‘‘great whales“ or rorquals.
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Reaching lengths of about 40-55 ft (13-16.5 m) and weighing up to about 90,000 lbs (40,000 kg), these large animals have sleek bodies that are dark gray in color and white underneath. When on the surface these animals are known to release a columnar or bushy blow that is about 10-13 ft (3-4 m) in height however these blows can also occur underwater. Known by field biologists for their tendency to display erratic and strange behavior compared to other baleen whales, these great mammals travel individually or in pairs, but there are reports of up to twenty animals associated with feeding areas.
1. BIG MAMA Female Bryde’s whales are usually larger than male Bryde’s whales..
2. JOHN BRYDE Bryde’s whales are named after Johan Bryde, who was the Norwegian consul to South Africa and helped set up the first whaling station in Durban, South Africa, in 1908.
3. THE TROPICAL WHALE The Bryde’s whale is also known as the ‘tropical’ whale. It tends to prefer waters warmer than 20oC. These whales can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
THAR’ SHE BLOWS!
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E D Y R B A R ENOPTE
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(Balaenoptera byrdei)
THE GREAT WHALES There are 13 species that are considered the great whale. They are listed as follows: Bowhead whale ................................................ (Balaena mysticetus) North Atlantic Right whale .............................. (Eubalaena glaciali) North Pacific right whale ............................. (Eubalaena japonica) Southern right whale ........................................ (Eubalaena australi) Gray whale ...................................................... (Eschrichtius robustus) Blue whale .................................................. (Balaenoptera musculus) Fin whale ...................................................... (Balaenoptera physalus) Sei whale ........................................................ (Balaenoptera borealis) Bryde’s whale ................................................... (Balaenoptera brydei) Common minke whale ................... (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) Antarctic minke whale ...................... (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) Humpback whale .................................. (Megaptera novaeangliae) Sperm whale ........................................... (Physeter macrocephalus)
(Megaptera novaeangliae)
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A Bryde’s whale surfaces and expels carbon dioxide and water vapour from its enormous lungs, producing its signature columnar blow.
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The largest of all dolphins, the Orca or killer whale is one of the world’s most powerful predators. With deadly teeth reaching lengths of up to four inches long, this whale feasts on marine animals such as seals, sea lions and even whales.
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Orcas are immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white colouring. Growing to as large as 30ft and weighing as much as 5, 443kg, often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can also be found from the polar regions to the Equator. These predators do not move alone but prefer to travel in groups of up to forty individuals known as pods.These pods are further classified into two groups based on their feeding habits. Resident pods tend to prefer fish, while transient pods target marine mammals. Both pods use efficient and organized techniques that many compare to that of a wolf pack.
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The killer whale make sounds that travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back, revealing their location, size, and shape. This is known as ‘‘echolocation’’, a technique used by whales to communicate and hunt.
1. THE PUNISHER Their scientific name, Orcinus orca, comes from the mythical Orcus -- the Roman god of death and the underworld, who was also known as a punisher. In North America, the indigenous Haida call them skana, which is a killer demon.
2. WHALE OR NO WHALE Although Orcas are called whales, for taxonomic purposes they are called actually considered dolphins. This makes Orcas the largest member of the dolphin family.
3. ORCA CULTURE Different orca populations can have very different vocal behavior, hunting techniques and social behavior. These behaviors are learned and passed on to subsequent generations, much like human culture.
Killer whales have never been extensively hunted by humans. These whales are the intelligent and trainable stars of many aquarium shows. With parents like these there is no need to be scared of the bullies of the sea! SAY ‘‘CHEESE!“ A killer whale has 40 - 50 teeth that are up to four inches long.
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Weighing a majestic 40 tonnes and reaching up to more than 60 ft in size the humpback whale is a musician of the sea. Known for its magical songs the sounds of the humpback travel for great distances in the deep oceans of the world for hours on end. A complex sequence of moans, howls, cries and other noises can be heard. It is most likely that humpbacks sings to communicate with others and to attract potential mates.
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These large singers tend to stick close to shore feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. Every summer they migrate from feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator. Humpbacks and their young travel close together often touching each others flippers in what to most appears to be affection.
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With massive tail fins, also called a fluke, the humpback propels itself through the water and even completely out of it during breaching. These whales like other often leap from the water landing with a tremendous splash.
1. TIPPING THE SCALES A fully grown humpback whale can weigh as much as 4 elephants!
2. BARITONES Both male and female Humpback Whales sing and make whales songs, but only the male Humpbacks make loud, complex whale songs that can last up to 10-20 minutes. Sometimes, the Humpback Whales will sing these songs repeatedly for hours on end.
3. THE WHALE SONG Since Humpback Whales can’t actually sing because they do not have any vocal cords, their ‘‘singing“ is made by blowing air through their nasal cavities at different speeds and various lengths of time.
This is one swimmer that is very hard to beat.
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Short finned pilot whales are larger members of the dolphin family with adults weighing up to 3000 kg. Females reach an average length of 12 feet (3.7 m) while males reach an average length of 18 feet (5.5 m). They have a bulbous melon head with no discernible beak. Usually black or dark brown in colour, their dorsal fin has a relatively long base with a large saddle behind it and is located close to the front of their body.
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They are polygynous and tend to have groups with a ratio of one male to eight females. Males tend to leave their birth school while females are likely to remain with theirs for life. Short-finned pilot whales prefer warmer tropical and temperate waters and can be found at varying distances from shore but typically in deeper waters. There are four recognized stocks in the U.S.: West Coast, Hawaii, Northern Gulf of Mexico, and Western North Atlantic.
d e n n i F t r o h S fi Pilot Whale GLOB
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YN C H H R O R C A M A ICEPHAL
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Areas with a high density of squid are their primary foraging habitats. Although they feed primarily on squid, they also eat octopus and fish, all from water depths of over a hundred feet. This species’ main predators are killer whales, larger sharks and humans.
1. THE CHEETAH OF THE DEEP Reaching speeds of up to 32 kilometres per hour for distances of approximately 200 metres, the short finned pilot whale is also known as the ‘‘cheetah of the deep“ for its fast, torpedo-like dive technique.
2. ALL IN THE FAMILY Female short-finned pilot whales become sexually mature when they are 9 years old and then have a calf every 4-6 years. They give birth for the last time when they are about 37 years old, but may continue to produce milk and to feed calves in their social group until they are in their 40s.
3. WHAT’S IN A NAME? These animals were named ‘‘pilot whales“ because it was believed that pods were ‘‘piloted“ by a leader. This may have due to the fact that pilot whales, while swimming, form ranks that can be over a kilometer long.
When swimming pilot whales form ranks that can be over a kilometer long.
‘‘I CAN SEE YOU!“ A short-finned pilot whale spyhopping.
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The False Killer Whale is the third largest member of the oceanic dolphins family. Males tend to be over 5 ft larger than their female counterparts. This species can reach up to 700 kg and usually lives in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world. As the name suggests, this whale can easily be mistaken for the Orca (killer whale).
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Characterized by their beakless conical heads. These whales tend to have a distinctive hump on their flippers with a tall dorsal fin. With the exception of some light patches near their throat and middle chest, false killer whales are known to have dark colored skin.
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For these whales, maturity occurs at around 12 years of age and maximum longevity is 63 years. Known to form strong social bonds these whales are usually found in groups of 40 in Hawaii and over a hundred elsewhere. False killer whales are also found with other cetaceans, most notably bottlenose dolphins. To increase success of finding prey, these whales travel in a broad band that can be up to several miles wide.
1. NOT YOUR REGULAR SHEPHERD False killer whales hunts its prey by a technique called herding, wherein a large group of false killer whales encircle the prey and pounce on it all at once
2. WHAT DO GET WHEN YOU CROSS.. A false killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin mated in captivity and produced a fertile calf.[3] The hybrid offspring has been called a ‘‘wholphin“.
3. MAMA’S BOY False killer whales give birth infrequently and live many years. Gestation is 15 months and calves measure 1.75 m at birth. Females nurse their calves for up to two years. The sex ratio of stranded individuals is about equal. This reproductive strategy is unusual among marine mammals most of which breed every few years and wean their calves after one year.
They feed during the day and at night on fishes and cephalopods, and are known to attack smaller dolphins.
WE ARE FAMILY! False killer whales are highly social and live in cohesive units known as pods.
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Tour Itinerary
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EMERALD POOL
SATURDAY JANUARY 19 9:00 AM............................................................Arrival at Melville Hall Airport ...................Meet & Greet at airport by Anchorage Hotel staff 10:00 AM...............................................................Arrival at Anchorage Hotel 12:00 PM..........................................................................................................Lunch 2:00 PM............................................Whale Watching Presentation & Tour 5:00 PM.........................................................................................Return to Hotel 6:00 PM...........................................................................................................Dinner
SUNDAY JANUARY 20 7:00 AM......................................................................................................Breakfast 9:00 AM............................................................................Visit to Carib Territory 10:00 AM.....................................................................Arrival at Carib Territory 12:00 PM...............................................................................................Lunch Stop 2:00 PM...................................................................................Visit Emerald Pool 4:00 PM................................................................Visit to Screw’s Sulphur Spa 5:30 PM.........................................................................................Return to Hotel 6:00 PM...........................................................................................................Dinner
This wonderful grotto is a short walk into the rainforest in the centre of the island. Bring along your swimming suit and a towel because you’re going to be utterly seduced by the intensity of the pool’s turquoise colored water, and taking a cool refreshing swim is a definitely a must.
TRAFALGAR FALLS Just a few minutes away from Roseau, Trafalgar Falls are the most popular waterfalls in Dominica. On the western edge of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, these twin falls are spectacular and accessible via a steep but smooth uphill walk. A pleasant, short walk takes one from the Visitors Centre to a good viewing platform; the more intrepid can continue on to swim in the refreshing waters of the smaller waterfall or find the hot springs of the tallest fall.
SCREW’S SULPHUR SPA
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Screw’s Sulfur Spas is one of the most famous hot water springs on the island of Dominica. Each of the pools is a different tempaerature starting with the hottest at the top near the entrance and gradually cooling off with each of the successive 3 pools. There is also a number of cool waterfalls and a cold pool for when you need a refreshing cool down.
7:00 AM......................................................................................................Breakfast 9:00 AM..............................................................................Visit to Trafalgar Falls 12:00 PM...............................................................................................Lunch Stop 1:00 PM.....................................................Visit Roseau &Botanical Gardens 2:00 PM.........................................................................................Return to Hotel 3:00 PM.........................................................Depart for Melville Hall Airport 5:40 PM................................................................Depart for Barbados (GAIA) 6:40 PM...................................................................Arrival in Barbados (GAIA)
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ominica’s First People - the Caribs - live on a 3,700 acre Territory on Dominica’s east coast that set aside for them in 1903. They number approximately 3,000 and elect their own chief who holds the position for 4 years.
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esides the warm and friendly people, other attractions in the Carib Territory include its many craft shops,Horseback Ridge and Isulukati Falls, as well as the Karifuna Cultural Group.
CARIB TERRITORY
BOTANICAL GARDENS Dominica Botanical Gardens were first planted in 1890 with the goal of encouraging crop diversification and to provide farmers with correctly propagated seedlings. Once known as one of the finest botanical gardens in the region, it was severely damaged by Hurricane David in 1979. Following restoration efforts, it remains a focus of cultural life in Roseau, and a center of conservation research on Dominica.
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