Big Love

• April 8, 2008
• Add comment

Morell joins staff from the Honolulu-based Dolphin Institute as they research the mating habits of humpback whales. The whales travel up to 5,000 miles in six weeks each breeding season, and have survived near-extinction caused by hunting before a worldwide ban in 1986. Researchers suspect females prefer larger, stronger mates who were more likely to be hunted -- hence the big drop in numbers -- but they can't be sure because nobody has ever witnessed humpbacks actually mating. Morrell's feature skillfully combines interviews, background research, and on-the-spot color.