welcome to the Marine Mammal Institute

The Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University integrates research, graduate education, and public outreach to advance knowledge of marine mammals, train the next generation of professionals, and engage with stakeholders to ensure that these animals and their ecosystems are always healthy.

RESEARCH     EDUCATION     OUTREACH


Mauricio Cantor Selected as National Geographic Explorer

Congratulations to Mauricio Cantor, who has been appointed as a National Geographic Explorer as part of the Wildlife Intelligence Project. This new initiative will fund and follow three early career scientists as they embark on animal cognition and behavior research that will potentially affect how humans view, interact, and connect with wildlife. 

Professor Cantor will expand his research on cooperative behavior between dolphins and humans in Brazil to two additional sites in India and Myanmar. He will examine whether specific ecological conditions have contributed to the evolution of human and dolphin cooperation among fishing communities in these regions.

The Wildlife Intelligence Project launch

Mauricio Cantor studies the behavioral mechanisms behind the ongoing cooperation between wild dolphins and artisanal human fishers in Brazil.

The Dolphin–Fisher Project


OSU Marine Mammal Institute Highlights.

Cetacean Conservation and Genomics Laboratory

The Cetacean Conservation and Genomics Laboratory explores the genomes of whales and dolphins to understand the past, assess the present, and conserve the future.

Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory

The Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory focuses on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of marine megafauna including cetaceans, pinnipeds, seabirds, and sharks.

Laboratory for Animal Behavioral Interaction Research in the Ocean

The Laboratory for Animal Behavioral Interaction Research in the Ocean integrates animal behavior, ecology, and human dimensions.

Marine Mammal Bioacoustics and Ecology Laboratory

The Marine Mammal Bioacoustics and Ecology Laboratory uses passive acoustic monitoring to study the underwater soundscape around the globe.

Ocean Ecology Laboratory

The Ocean Ecology Laboratory studies animal movement, foraging ecology, health, and population dynamics to support the science-based management of threatened species.

Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network documents occurrences and investigates the causes of marine mammal strandings in Oregon. Learn what to do if you find a marine mammal ashore.

Whale Habitat, Ecology, & Telemetry Laboratory

The Whale Habitat, Ecology, and Telemetry Laboratory develops tag technology, advances ecology, and informs conservation of the largest animals on earth.

Marine Offshore Species Assessments to Inform Clean Energy

A federally funded institute-wide project to survey cetaceans and seabirds off the US West Coast to inform the responsible development of offshore wind energy.