Climate Change
By Javed Baloch - Source: NBC News, Royal Society Open Science Dated 19/12/2024
A humpback whale has set a new record for the longest known migration between breeding grounds by travelling over 8,000 miles across three oceans. This has left scientists surprised.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file
A research titled, "Interbreeding areamovement of an adulthumpback whale betweenthe east Pacific Ocean andsouthwest Indian Ocean", published in Royal Society Open Science Volume 11, Issue 12 analyzed the whale extensively.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file
The whale was first photographed in 2013 off the coast of Colombia. In 2017, it was spotted in the same region. But in 2022, it appeared near Zanzibar, an island off East Africa, reports NBC News.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file
“To put it into perspective, this male covered a distance equivalent to swimming from London to Tokyo and then partway back,” said Darren Croft, a professor at the University of Exeter executive director of the Center for Whale Research.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file
Scientists believe climate change or mating competition may be driving whales to new breeding grounds.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file
“Changing climatic and ocean conditions could be driving these migrations to new breeding grounds. It may also be a case that increased competition for mates or food is encouraging individuals to seek new opportunities,” said Darren Croft.
Credit: Loic Venance / AFP via Getty Images file