In a new study of large whales in East Greenland, researchers have documented a dramatic biodiversity shift: minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales, once rarely seen in these waters, have now become abundant. The research, conducted by Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and colleagues in Greenland, Denmark and Iceland, presents a striking example of […]
Tag: humpback whales
Rare moment humpback whale gives birth captured by drone off Australian coast – video
For the first time, the birth of a humpback whale was captured via drone earlier this week. Filmed off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, on Tuesday, the video shows the water fill with blood before the newborn calf emerges to take its first breath. The nonprofit Organisation for the Rescue and Research of […]
As Australia expands seismic testing, experts warn of profound effects on sealife
It was spring, 20 years ago now, but he remembers it clearly. On the deck of the Geco Resolution, wind tearing spray from the waves, Robert McCauley stood gazing out onto an ocean blackened by night. The ship had been firing seismic airguns all day, thunderous blasts punching through the water and into the seabed. Over […]
Sightings of humpback whales surge in Rio de Janeiro, fueling demand for whale-watching trips
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro’s coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration. The species’ population has jumped from around 2,000 to around 35,000 […]
These endangered whales have lived in a small sea for 70,000 years. One of them just broke the pattern
Scientists documented the first long-distance travel of an Arabian Sea humpback whale (ASHW): a small population of only around 82 individuals that live off Oman’s coast. Unlike other humpbacks around the world, these endangered whales usually stay close to home. The population is genetically distinct from other humpbacks, having diverged around 70,000 years ago, and individuals usually stay within […]
David Attenborough narrates ruthless, shocking footage of orcas kidnapping a vulnerable humpback whale calf right under its poor mother’s nose…
In a display of sophisticated predatory behaviour, three orcas were seen using a highly strategic hunting method to ‘kidnap’ a young humpback whale, from under its mother’s nose. This entirely new tactic had never been seen before by scientists and was documented by a camera team for the first time for the BBC’s 2024 documentary series, Mammals, narrated […]
Older Male Whales More Successful at Mating Because They’re Better Singers, Shows Study
Older male whales are more successful at mating than their younger rivals because they are better singers, suggests new research. The older singing whales are increasingly successful at birthing offspring compared to younger males, with the findings suggesting that the humpbacks may need time to learn and refine their singing and competitive tactics—giving experienced males […]
World’s Most Important Whale Feeding Ground Under Threat
Sea Shepherd will return to Antarctica at the start of the new year as escalating industrial fishing pressure threatens what may be the most important whale feeding ground on the planet. A fleet of fourteen supertrawlers from six countries operate between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Orkney Islands, competing directly with fin and humpback […]