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About
Research Priorities
Publications
TEAM
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CETACEA
galapagos program
our mission

To advance the understanding and conservation of Galapagos cetaceans by pioneering scientific research, fostering community engagement, and training future conservation leaders.

Through our work, we aim to protect the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos marine ecosystem, emphasizing the ecological significance of cetaceans and the need for evidence-based conservation measures.

Research Priorities

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Spatiotemporal Occurrence and Species Diversity:

Important on understanding where and when different cetacean species are found in Galapagos waters, and the patterns of their distribution throughout the year. It includes the study of migration routes, seasonal movements, and the spatial distribution of species across various habitats.
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Population and Health Assessment:

Focuses on estimating the size and structure of cetacean populations in the region, as well as assessing their overall health. It includes studying birth rates, mortality rates, morphometry, genetic diversity, and signs of disease or physical stress.
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Social and Trophic Ecology:

Explores the social structure of cetacean population such as group dynamics, collective behaviour, communication, and social interactions, as well as their feeding strategies and ecological roles within the food web. It includes studying diet, foraging strategies, and interactions with other marine species.

The Value

Research Methods:

Photo ID, drone photogrammetry, acoustic monitoring, tagging, genetics & diet analysis.

Merchandise:

Environmentally friendly products, such as shirts, reusable water bottles, and bags (Mammals).

Oportunities:

Join our expeditions, volunteer programs, internships.

Community Engagement:

Citizen science workshops and educational talks for local residents and visitors.

Scientific Papers

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2023:
Cetaceans of the Galapagos Archipelago
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Towards a Healthy Coexistence: Cetaceans and Small-Scale Fishery
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Humpback whale winter distribution and core habitats in relation to ENSO and depth off Ecuador
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Ten Years of Wildlife Health and Conservation in the Galapagos, 2013–2022
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Multiple anthropogenic stressors in the Galápagos Islands' complex social–ecological system
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Year-round presence of northern and southern hemisphere Blue Whales at the Galapagos Archipelago
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Conference Papers

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2024
Alarcón-Ruales D, Diaz-Pazmiño S, Muñoz-Pérez J, Proaño A, Rosero P, Lewbart G. (2024) Citizen science as a tool for recording commensalism and parasitism in killer whales (Orcinus orca) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Galapagos Islands. IV Congreso Ecuatoriano de Mastozología. Tena, Napo. Ecuador.
Diaz-Pazmiño S, Denkinger J, Hajek-Groenendijk S, Salazar S, Proaño A, Muñoz Pérez J, Alarcón Ruales D. (2024) Galapagos Buffet: Exploring the Generalist Diet and Prey Interactions of Galapagos Killer Whales. 25th Bienal Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Perth, Western Australia.
2024
Alarcón Ruales D, Muñoz Pérez JP, Pazmiño D, Diaz- Pazmiño S, Guzmán H, Torres- Florez JP, Holmes B, Potvin D, Paez-Rosas D, Townsend K. (2024) Assessment of Population Genetics and Feeding Behavior of Blue Whales that Inhabit the Galapagos Marine Reserve. 25th Bienal Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Perth, Western Australia.
2024
Diaz-Pazmiño S, Denkinger J, Hajek-Groenendijk S, Salazar S, Proaño A, Muñoz Pérez J, Ward A, Alarcón Ruales D. (2024) Galapagos Buffet: Exploring the Generalist Diet and Prey Interactions of Galapagos Killer Whales. 25th Bienal Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals. Perth, Western Australia.
2024

Team

Dedicated marine ecologist with expertise in conservation research, focusing on migratory species and marine ecosystems. Leads research on sea turtles and cetaceans in Galapagos, studying species ecology while fostering community conservation.
Daniela Alarcon
PhD. Candidate, Principal Investigator
Biologist and ecologist with 20+ years' experience in marine mammals, conservation, and ecosystem management, specializing in medical writing, biodiversity research, project planning, and fundraising across tropical and temperate ecosystems.
Judith Denkinger
Senior Researcher
Marine biologist and PhD candidate studying cetacean ecology, specializing in social interactions and communication in cetaceans. Experienced diving instructor fascinated by collective behaviors in marine life from krill swarms to dolphin pods.
Santiago Diaz
PhD. Candidate
Global data scientist and expert in data-driven solutions with a focus on AI and Research.
Experienced in leveraging insights worldwide to drive impactful strategies and empower organizations through innovative technology.
Luis Rendon
Data Scientist
With 20+ years in Galápagos diving and surfing and 13 years in research, expertise includes animal movement, ecology, sea turtles, marine iguanas, cetaceans, and health, supported by 49 peer-reviewed publications and a book.
Juan Pablo
PhD.

Collaborators

Dr. Greg Lewbart

A global expert in aquatic animal health, has led 29 Galápagos research trips, authored six textbooks, published 250+ works, received multiple awards, and is a professor at NC State University.
Alessandro Bocconcelli
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A Research Specialist at WHOI, is an expert in marine mammal tagging. With 50+ publications, he has worked on Dtags, acoustic moorings, and towed arrays, joining 100+ research cruises.
Dr. Diane Deresienski

Clinical Associate Professor at NC State, specializes in small animal medicine and surgery. She researches Galápagos sea lion health, advancing marine mammal medicine and conservation through veterinary initiatives in the Galápagos.
Ashley Ward

Professor of Animal Behaviour at the University of Sydney, explores social behaviors in animals. An acclaimed author, his books reveal insights into animal societies, senses, and decision-making, inspiring curiosity about the natural world.
Kathy Townsend
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Associate Professor, a marine conservation expert, specializes in marine debris and pollution. With 20+ years of experience in marine research, she contributes to global conservation efforts and policy development.
Laela Sayigh
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Research cetacean social behavior and communication, studying species like blue, fin, and pilot whales. She explores call structure, anthropogenic noise effects, and uses advanced technologies like non-invasive tags to analyze underwater communication.
Julien Bonnel
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Expert in ocean acoustics, specializes in non-stationary signal analysis and passive monitoring. His work covers bioacoustics, ambient noise, geoacoustic inversion, and sound propagation, advancing underwater acoustic research and source localization techniques.
Javier Oña  

Ecuadorian biologist and founder of the bioacoustics program at the CETACEA Ecuador Project.

Students

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Sofia Orellana> PHD student at University of Liverpool, cetacean and plankton expert.
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Zayra DelMar> environmental management, inspired by cetaceans to work on her thesis .
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David Parra> community outreach and education, currently working on his thesis.
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Laleska Cedeño> blue whale catalogue, photo ID, passionate dive instructor.
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Mayley Guitard> mathematician, data analyst and braids expert.
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Lizzie Glazer> cetacean enthusiast, amazing photographer, will probably get a nobel prize.
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Romana Barthel> photo ID expert, bottlenose dolphins, amazing attention to detail.
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Roman Bär> photo ID expert, blackfish, SO patient with us.
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Mishka Iqbal> acoustics expert, ethologist, go-getter and amazing artist.
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Charlie Kelly> drone/photogrammetry expert, also amazing artist.
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Ella Taylor> Killer Whale (KW) EXPERT, photo ID, really obsessed with KW.
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Reproduction of photographs, artwork, or other contents is prohibited without written permission.
Address: Avenida Alsacio Northia S/N, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 200101, Ecuador
General inquiries: info@cetaceagalapagos.org