Whale's Incredible Journey Sparks Scientific Curiosity

Scientists document an extraordinary 13,000-kilometer migration of a humpback whale, observed in both the Pacific Ocean and off Zanzibar, linking it to potential climate change influences.

A remarkable journey taken by a humpback whale has captivated scientists who suggest that its record-setting migration may be linked to changes in the ocean’s ecosystem. Initially spotted off the Pacific coast of Colombia in 2017, the whale reemerged sighted near Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean years later, covering an astonishing 13,000 kilometers.

According to experts, this migration is unprecedented and could be indicative of climate change impacting food availability or the whale’s search for a mate. Ekaterina Kalashnikova of the Tanzania Cetaceans Program remarked on the complexity of this journey, labeling it "truly impressive and unusual even for this highly migratory species."

The resurgence of the whale was documented with supporting photographs from both locations, further amplifying the significance of its travels. Kalashnikova posited that this might be the farthest distance recorded for a humpback whale, whose migrations are already among the longest in the animal kingdom, transitioning annually from breeding territories in warmer, tropical waters to feeding grounds in the colder Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Interestingly, while the marine mammal is known for its extensive travel, this male's migration stands out by potentially connecting two distinct breeding sites, leading researchers to explore various hypotheses regarding the cause of such remarkable traveling patterns. A prevalent theory suggests that climate change may deplete critical food resources—tiny shrimp-like krill—forcing whales to adapt their migratory paths. Another possibility is that populations of humpback whales are rebounding thanks to global conservation initiatives, prompting the creatures to discover new breeding areas.

Dr. Kalashnikova emphasized the complexity of the factors influencing this behavior, which may include global climate changes and extreme weather events that are becoming increasingly common, in addition to the species' inherent evolutionary strategies and adaptations.

This wandering whale was one of several humpbacks identified during research expeditions in Colombia since 2013, with recent sightings documented as far as Zanzibar. The research highlights the importance of technology in tracking these marine giants, utilizing a citizen science platform, happywhale.com, which collects and analyzes thousands of whale photographs. By employing artificial intelligence, researchers can match individual whale tails—known as flukes—providing deeper understanding and mapping of whale movements across the globe. The findings are published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

For further insight into these magnificent creatures, viewers can explore the documentary "The Secret's of Antarctica's Giants" available on BBC iPlayer.