Source: BBC
A humpback whale has completed one of the longest and most remarkable migrations ever documented, a journey scientists believe may be linked to changing environmental conditions.
First observed in the Pacific Ocean off Colombia in 2017, the whale reappeared years later near Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean, covering a minimum of 13,000 km. Experts suggest that this extraordinary trek could be due to shifting food availability caused by climate change or a quest for a mate.
Ekaterina Kalashnikova from the Tanzania Cetaceans Program described the journey as "exceptional and rare, even for this species known for its long migrations."
A photograph taken in 2022 shows the same whale near Zanzibar. Dr. Kalashnikova noted it is likely the longest distance a humpback whale has ever been recorded traveling.
Humpback whales, known for their vast migrations between tropical breeding grounds and cooler feeding areas, inhabit oceans worldwide. Yet, this whale’s journey stands out, spanning two distinct breeding regions.
Scientists theorize that climate change might be altering the distribution of krill, a primary food source for humpbacks, prompting them to venture farther. Alternatively, as whale populations recover through conservation efforts, individuals might be exploring new breeding grounds.
"The exact cause remains unclear, but it could be driven by global climate changes, extreme environmental events, or the species' natural evolutionary behavior," Dr. Kalashnikova added.
The male whale was first photographed in 2013 off Colombia’s Pacific coast and then again in 2017. In 2022, it was identified near Zanzibar, with a minimum great-circle distance of 13,046 km separating these sightings. The actual route taken is likely much longer.
Great-circle distances represent the shortest path between two points on a sphere, calculated as an arc linking them.
This remarkable discovery stems from a collaborative effort using a vast citizen science database hosted on happywhale.com. The site employs artificial intelligence to match unique patterns on whale tails, or flukes, tracking their movements globally.
Details of this study were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. The BBC first highlighted this astonishing journey, which sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of humpback whales in a rapidly changing world.
