The Photo-ID technique allows the individual identification of animals within a group or population, due to marks’ recognition in the animals. Photographs are taken of the dorsal or caudal fins (flukes), depending on the species. These photographs are then examined and individual animals are identified by examining the pictures for unique markings.
The photographs of identified animals can be efficiently used for mark-recapture analysis to obtain population estimations. For this, we assume the recognized marks are will last for a long period of time.
Some advantages of this technique are: is not invasive, is accessible and not expensive. The catalogues of photographs can be used in a regional level, establishing movement patterns. It also allows studying group fidelity in cetaceans. Some long-term studies have obtained from this technique information such as age, maturity, periods of breeding, parental care, age and longevity among others.
Limitations of the technique depend on the photographer experience and on the species itself. Species’ behavior will favor or limit the use of this technique. Besides, not all the animals possess marks deep or strange enough in order to differentiate them from the rest.
Become a collaborator in whale and dolphin research!
International researchers in collaboration with Costa Rican biologists and photographers have been studying humpbacks here since 1996. The photos of the flukes in whales and dorsal fins in dolphins, work as finger prints to identify them individually. If you get a fluke or dorsal fin among your pictures, you could help in the research and conservation of this species. Contact us
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