Sperm whales are the largest toothed predators on Earth, with complex social structures and extraordinary diving ability. They face serious threats that compromise their welfare and survival.
The social complexity of sperm whale societies means that individual welfare is tied to group integrity. Loss of experienced matriarchs disrupts calf rearing and food-finding. Plastic ingestion causes prolonged internal damage. Ship strikes and entanglement in deep-set fishing lines cause trauma. Noise from sonar exercises has been linked to strandings and behavioural disruption.