Short Wave Why Drones Are Catching Whale Breaths
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Dec 26, 2025 
Joining the conversation is Juana Summers, a national correspondent and host on All Things Considered. She discusses how scientists in the Arctic are using drones to capture whale breath samples for health studies. This innovative method helps track diseases like morbillivirus and herpes in whale populations. The findings offer insights into stressors on marine life and potential zoonotic risks to humans. Juana also highlights the importance of monitoring ocean health, emphasizing a unique intersection of technology and conservation.
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Drones Can Capture Whale Health Clues
- Researchers used drones to collect exhaled whale breath samples noninvasively from Arctic whales near Norway and Iceland.
- The samples revealed cetacean morbillivirus and herpes virus, showing pathogens can be detected in live, asymptomatic whales.
Long-Term Monitoring Reveals Disease Drivers
- Monitoring whale respiratory pathogens over years can reveal how stressors like pollution and climate change affect disease dynamics.
- Elena Costa and team plan long-term sampling to understand pathogen spread and environmental impacts.
Warn People When Whales Carry Disease
- Use detection of sick whales to reduce human exposure in areas where people interact with whales, like swimming with them in Norway.
- Prioritize noninvasive surveillance to warn nearby communities about potential zoonotic risks.