Humpback whales are renowned for their long migrations, swimming annually between tropical breeding zones and cooler feeding grounds. However, this male’s journey was exceptional, highlighting possible shifts in migration patterns.
Scientists suggest several theories behind this record-breaking trek:
“These factors, alongside evolutionary mechanisms, could be driving such extraordinary movements,” added Dr. Kalashnikova.
The whale was first photographed with a group of humpbacks near Colombia in 2013, seen again in the same region in 2017, and finally identified near Zanzibar in 2022. Its migration path, measured as a minimum great-circle distance of 13,046 kilometers, likely extended even further due to oceanic currents and feeding stops.
The study relied on thousands of whale tail photographs submitted to Happywhale.com, a citizen science platform. Using artificial intelligence, the platform matches the unique patterns on whale flukes, allowing researchers to map individual movements globally.
This incredible journey underscores the importance of ongoing conservation and research efforts as whales adapt to a rapidly changing world.