Humpback whale song is structured in a similar way to human language – with shorter sounds used far more often than more complex ones – a structure which helps infants quickly learn how to communicate from their elders in both species. Across languages and whale song, some words, or word-like elements, are used frequently while […]
Tag: humpback whales
In Panama, major port construction begins at key mangrove site
Conservation groups in Panama are trying to halt the construction of a new port in the Pacific province of Chiriquí that they say could destroy breeding grounds and nurseries for marine species. The Puerto Barú project, located outside the town of David, would create a new port on Panama’s northwest coast, increasing trade and tourism […]
Fewer than one in 14 male humpback whales in New Caledonia are fathers
As few as 7% of male humpback whales in New Caledonia in the south-west Pacific may have fathered offspring, a study has found. The paternity analysis found that 93% of males had no evidence of genetic offspring throughout the 25-year study period and no male had sired more than two offspring. It was unclear why […]
Massive Alaskan Bird Die-Off Shocks Scientists
Scientists have reported the most significant bird mortality event in modern history, with over 4 million common murres perishing in Alaska. This catastrophic loss, revealed in a recent study published in the journal Science, surpasses any previous known wildlife disaster, including the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill. The roots of this calamity are traced back […]
New Calf Sighting Brings Brief Hope for Endangered Orcas, But Challenges Remain
Hope surfaced for the endangered southern resident killer whales when a new calf named L128 was spotted swimming alongside their mother. This rare sighting briefly uplifted researchers who had seen only one other calf earlier in the year, which sadly died after a few months. However, by mid-October, L128 appeared to be struggling, as it […]
Humpback Whale Migration Sparks Cultural Festivities on Colombia’s Pacific Coast
In the tranquil waters of Colombia’s Pacific Coast, the annual migration of humpback whales from the chilly seas near Chile to the warmer breeding grounds near Colombia is more than a natural spectacle; it’s a celebration of culture and heritage. Each July, the seaport of Buenaventura becomes a hub of activity as thousands of tourists, […]
Australian government ‘deeply disappointed’ by Japan’s decision to expand commercial whaling target list
The Australian government is “deeply disappointed” by Japan’s decision to add the world’s second-largest whale species to the list of species its commercial whale hunters will target. Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, attacked Japan’s decision to hunt fin whales – the world’s second-longest whale and considered vulnerable. The Japanese government this week confirmed it would […]
Unusually Large Number of Whales Spotted, Including Multiple Endangered Species, off Northeast U.S. Coasts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported 161 sightings of whales last month, representing seven different whale species. The sightings, recorded on May 25, took place off the northeastern U.S. Coasts, near Martha’s Vineyard and southeast of Nantucket. According to NOAA, the sightings included an unusually high number of whale species, particularly endangered […]