The Whitehead Lab

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The Whitehead Lab

Based out of the Dalhousie University Department of Biology (Halifax, Nova Scotia), The Whitehead Lab©

Led by Dr. Hal Whitehead, the Whitehead Lab is based out of the Dalhousie University Biology Department (Halifax, Nova Scotia). Broadly, our group conducts scientific research on the culture, behavioral ecology, and population biology of several cetacean species, with specific focus on social organization, ranging behavior, distribution, acoustics, and conservation. Our primary study species inclu

de the sperm whale, the northern bottlenose whale, and the long-finned pilot whale. Past study species have also included Sowerby’s beaked whales, narwhals, river dolphins, killer whales, belugas, and more.

04/28/2026

Last month, Christine Clarke (Whitehead Lab PhD candidate .you.know.by.christine) spoke about her research currently underway on the vocal behaviour of male s***m whales. By characterizing what these whales say, Christine aims to better understand their culture and how they fit in to broader s***m whale society. This was at Simon Fraser University’s Inter-Departmental Ecology of Aquatic Systems Symposium ***mwhale

03/09/2026

Next up for our lab member introductions is: Kyra !!

Kyra is a 4th year undergraduate honours student completing her degree in Marine Biology. She is excited to be studying northern bottlenose whales with the Whitehead Lab. The goal of her research is to assess whether drone footage can be used to reliably identify individual northern bottlenose whales by matching them to the longitudinal dorsal fin catalog. She is also using aerial imagery to assess the prevalence of scar types visible across the body of the whales.

Outside of the lab she likes to get active by figure skating, hiking, running, or pickleballing and finds any other excuse to get outdoors and explore!

03/03/2026

On , we’re recognizing the role marine megafauna plays in ocean ecosystems. Large whales contribute to important processes such as nutrient cycling, primary productivity, and carbon storage.

Protecting marine wildlife supports the stability and resilience of these ocean systems.

03/02/2026

A huge congratulations to our honours students Madi, Daisy, and Kyra for presenting their research posters at the Cameron Conference this weekend! We are incredibly proud of each of you and feel so fortunate to have had you dedicate such hard work and passion to your research this year.

Thank you as well to everyone who stopped by to show their support, and congratulations to all presenters for showcasing your outstanding work! 🩵

02/27/2026

First up for our lab member introductions is: Christine (Konrad) Clarke!

Christine is a PhD candidate researching the mysterious movement and behaviour of male s***m whales, in collaboration with researchers around the globe. After seven years as a biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, she’s back for another round in the Whitehead Lab. Christine completed her MSc in 2017 on the family dynamics of the well known — and well loved — Dominican s***m whales (swipe right for a flashback to those days).

When she’s not on a boat looking for whales or crunching code, you can find her gardening, bird watching, and always learning cool new things about nature — sometimes with her niece and nephew in tow.

10/01/2025

Important news today on the future of Marineland's belugas!

A response from Dr. Hal Whitehead:

"It is inhumane to keep whales and dolphins in captivity for display purposes. The belugas in Marineland have had horrible lives, and moving them to oceanaria in China would have prolonged their suffering and perhaps made it worse. I am pleased with Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Thompson's decision not to issue a permit for their export. The next step is to work out how to give these animals the best possible lives from here on."

07/15/2024

The team is off to sea again today for our second survey to The Gully! Wishing this crew fair winds and following seas as they head offshore in search of more northern bottlenose whales!

Here's a photo of a northern bottlenose whale and calf taken on our last survey (under scientific permit).

07/11/2024

The crew for the second survey of the summer are busy preparing to head out to sea! We are hoping for some calmer seas and many more northern bottlenose whale sightings. Here are two pictures from the last trip, one showing a pair of northern bottlenose whales and a second showing an offshore type common bottlenose dolphin.

Photos taken under scientific permit.

07/09/2024

The first research trip to The Gully has returned! The crew encountered more than their share of rough weather, but also found lots of northern bottlenose whales. Success!

They documented 11 different cetacean species during the trip, including a first for us in The Gully - killer whales! Here are some photos from the trip.

The second research trip leaves in just under a week!

06/15/2024

Only one week left until we head out to sea for the first two-week long research trip of the season. This work is part of our lab's ongoing study of the Endangered Scotian Shelf population northern bottlenose whales!

This summer we will be heading back The Gully MPA (an offshore submarine canyon) for two different trips aboard SV Balaena. Stay tuned for updates! 🐋

Address

Halifax, NS
B3H4R2

Website

http://whiteheadlab.weebly.com/

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