The Mammal Research Institute’s Whale Unit is currently conducting boat-based fieldwork in Walker Bay in the Western Cape. The main species of interest is the Bryde’s whale, a sleek rorqual with three ridges on its rostrum and an upright, curved dorsal fin towards the back of its body. Usually shy, elusive and fast-moving, they travel long distances in search of their prey, meaning that data collection on Bryde’s whales is both exciting and challenging!