Researchers have uncovered that two humpback whales undertook extraordinary journeys across oceans, each traveling over 15,000 kilometers between Australia and Brazil, setting a remarkable record.
These whales were distinguished by their unique tail markings, allowing scientists to correlate photographs taken over the years in both eastern Australia and Brazil. Remarkably, the whales swam in opposite directions, marking them as the longest-distant traveling humpback whales ever documented.
This pioneering study appeared in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
The research involved analyzing a substantial collection of over 19,000 whale photographs gathered across four decades from scientists and citizen researchers alike. Advanced recognition software identified each whale by examining the unique color patterns and jagged features of their tails.
One whale astonishingly traveled more than 15,000 kilometers, surpassing previous records including that of a humpback whale which journeyed from Colombia to Zanzibar.
Humpback whales are famously known for their extensive migrations across oceans, typically following paths learned from their mothers. In warmer seasons, they feast on krill and smaller fish, and during winter, they migrate to tropical regions for breeding purposes.
Interestingly, these whales usually don't traverse between distinct breeding grounds, making this finding exceptionally rare.
Stephanie Stack, co-author of the study from the Pacific Whale Foundation, remarked that this discovery questions previous notions regarding the separateness of whale populations across different oceans.
While researchers have yet to ascertain the precise migration routes of these whales, as photos captured them only at the start and conclusion of their voyages, experts suggest they might have interacted with various groups in shared feeding areas before proceeding to different breeding habitats.
Phillip Clapham, a former NOAA whale research program head, emphasized the significance of this discovery as a vital instance of the extensive range of humpback whales.
Furthermore, scientists believe that this research could provide insights into the impacts of climate change on whale migration patterns, as rising ocean temperatures may alter the locations of krill and consequently, affect the whales’ feeding and breeding travels.
A strong smell at a shopping mall in Tokyo triggered a major emergency response with at least 19 pe
Recent missile strikes in Ukraine have escalated regional tensions, prompting urgent calls for inter
A tense exchange between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping during high-level talks has raised questions ab
Indigenous treaty rights and constitutional protections are becoming major obstacles in Alberta’s gr
