Research and Conservation
Since 2004 Filicudi WildLife Conservation has been involved in different research project applied to the protection of cetaceans and sea turtles in the Aeolian Archipelago. The research projects have been set up in collaboration with public and private reserch Institutes and Universities.
The activities regarding cetaceans are mainly focussed on two species of dolphins which are more frequently encountered along the Aeolian coast: the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu, 1821) and the striped dolphin (Stenella Coeruleoalba, Meyen 1833). These species which are more commonly present in the study zone (about 400 sq.Km.) of the marine area between the islands of Filicudi, Alicudi and Salina can meet with various threats of an anthropical nature. The Filicudi WildLife Conservation association also coordinates a protection project on common loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 175).
Projects on cetaceans
- Distribution models based on oceanographic and environmental parameters
- Models of environmental suitability for the species
- Population structure
- Home range
- Abundance estimates
- Assessment of risk and interaction with fishing activities
- Assessment of impact of boat traffic
- Pattern of residence and site fidelity
- Pattern di association in a fission-fusion society
- Behavioural ecology
- Clinical testing and sampling of biological material in order to:
- establish cause of death,
- determine diet and food preferences,
- study the populations from a genetic viewpoint,
- assess the accumulation of possible environmental contaminants in the various organs and tissues.
These projects are carried out in cooperation with the University of Rome La Sapienza and the National Institute of Health.
Projects on the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Distribution models based on oceanographic and environmental parameters (satellite tracking)
- Determination of areas of high density and identification of feeding and wintering sites
- Assessment of the impact of an anthropical nature (fishing, sea traffic and pollution)
- Development of models of environmental suitability for the species
- Population structure
- Implementation of management measures in the areas affected by important impacts
- Clinical testing and sampling of biological material in order to:
- establish cause of death (autopsy on carcasses),
- determine diet and food preferences (examination of stomach contents),
- study the populations from a genetic viewpoint (sampling),
- assess the intestinal biotic community,
- assess the food chain (staple isotopes)
- assess the accumulation of possible environmental contaminants in the various organs and tissues.
These projects are carried out in cooperation with different research institutes and Universities.