Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is a medium sized cetacean, which resembles a big and strange dolphin, and measures up to 6 metres of length. The "Ziphius" Project began in 1996 with the study of a mass stranding and death of at least 13 Cuvier's beaked whales in the area of Kyparissiakos Gulf. The first important discovery of the project was the link of this phenomenon to military sonar tests conducted in the area by NATO. The findings of the aforementioned study were published in the scientific journal "Nature" (download PDF file) in 1998 and initiated discussions worldwide around the issue of the conservation of our planet's cetaceans. At the same time, the above findings were transmitted together with Pelagos Institute President's interviews all around the world by Reuters, BBC World Service, CNN, ABC News, Times, The Economist, The Guardian (international), BBC Wildlife Magazine and dozens of other international media. Finally, the magnitude of the particular issue forced NATO to temporarily stop its acoustic military tests.

Since then, Pelagos Institute studies Cuvier's beaked whales in their natural environment, in the waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan Sea. The research activities of the "Ziphius" Project include the photoidentification of Cuvier's beaked whales, as well as the study of their biology, behaviour and most importantly their bioacoustics.
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Cuvier's beaked whales are odontocetes that although can be sighted almost anywhere in the world, are very difficult to observe and study due to their long dive time (20 to 70 minutes), their "quiet" behaviour (they very rarely exhibit any aerial behaviour), but also because they avoid any contact with humans and their activities. Thus, very few facts are known about these magnificent animals, most of which as a result of strandings.

Cuvier's beaked whales, just like sperm whales, feed on deep living squid which they hunt at depths of 1000 metres or more.