Researchers have been using photo-identification techniques to identify and track individual fin and humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean since the 1970s. Individual whales are identified by dorsal fin shape, natural color patterns and acquired scars (fin whales) or fluke pigmentation patterns (humpback whales). Allied Whale currently maintains the North Atlantic Fin Whale Catalog and the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog, which house photographs of thousands of individual whales. These catalogues allow researchers to follow individual whales' life histories and investigate migration patterns, calving rates and fidelity to feeding grounds.

Support Research — Adopt a Whale Today!

Your whale adoption supports photo-identification research at Allied Whale.

With your adoption you will receive:

• A 5x7 inch color photograph of your whale.
• A brief history of your whale and its sightings.
• The beautiful seventy page book Discovering Whales of the East Coast full of information and photos about whales and whale research.
• Your personal Certificate of Adoption.
• Subscription to our annual newsletter.
• The Allied Whale Guide to Marine Mammals of the North Atlantic.
• An exclusive Bar Harbor Whale Museum patch.

To Adopt a Whale, you can order online or fill out the order form to the right and email, fax or mail to Allied Whale, or call us to place your order by telephone. To purchase other Allied Whale Products, click here. Whale adoptions are also available during the summer months at the Bar Harbor Whale Museum. (Click photos to choose from our Adoptable Whales.)

Adopt a Fin Whale

$40, single whale
$50, mother/calf pair
$20 adoption renewal

Adopt a Humpback Whale

$40, single whale
$50, mother/calf pair
$20 adoption renewal