Humpback whales are giving birth in freezing southern waters 1,500 kilometers away from their traditional tropical nurseries.
Humpback whales were always thought to require warm, tropical lagoons to keep their calves alive after birth. New sightings in the Ngari Marine Park show mother whales successfully raising newborns in significantly colder temperatures. This massive southward shift suggests the whales are rapidly changing their ancient migration habits to find new food or safety. It proves that large mammals are far more flexible in their biological requirements than previously believed. This discovery forces a total rethink of which ocean areas need protection as the climate changes.
Increasing evidence of humpback whale calving in the south-west of Western Australia
research_square · rs-4278447
Abstract An understanding of the spatial and temporal range of marine mammals, and identification of habitats that support critical behaviours is fundamental for effective species management and conservation. The humpback whale, while considered to be recovered within Australian waters, is subject to increasing levels of anthropogenic pressure across its migratory range. Increasing population size, in concert with long term climatic change, is likely to lead to intra and inter-species competitio