Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a remarkable discovery, researchers have documented two humpback whales undertaking extraordinary migrations between Australia and Brazil, covering over 15,000 kilometers across the world's oceans.

Identified by their distinctive tail markings, these whales were tracked using photographs collected over several years in both regions. They moved in contrasting directions, establishing them as the longest-faring humpbacks ever recorded.

The findings are detailed in the Royal Society Open Science journal.

Researchers examined an extensive archive of over 19,000 whale images gathered over four decades, utilizing advanced recognition software to differentiate the whales based on the unique color patterns and edges of their tails.

One whale achieved a staggering migration, surpassing the previous record set by another humpback that traveled from Colombia to Zanzibar.

Known for their migratory habits, humpback whales usually navigate routes passed down from their mothers. In warm seasons, they feed on krill and small fish, migrating to tropical waters for breeding during winter.

This unusual finding is significant because whales typically do not migrate between distinct breeding grounds.

Stephanie Stack, co-author of the study from the Pacific Whale Foundation, stated that this discovery alters previous assumptions about the separation of whale populations across different oceans.

Although the exact paths taken by these whales remain unclear, as photographs only documented them at the start and end of their voyages, experts theorize they might have interacted with various groups in shared feeding zones before venturing towards different breeding areas.

Phillip Clapham, a former NOAA whale research program director, described this finding as a rare instance that underscores the expansive range of humpback whales.

Moreover, scientists indicate that this research could reveal shifts in whale migration patterns due to climate change, as warming seas may alter krill availability, impacting whales' feeding and breeding behaviors.

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