Riccardo Liguori Uncover the record-breaking 8,100-mile migration of a humpback whale from Colombia to Zanzibar, and how a citizen science and an innovative tool called Happywhale unmask the impact of climate change on marine giants.
@Happywhale
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), often called the gentle giants of the oceans, are known for their remarkable ability to undertake long migrations between polar feeding grounds and tropical breeding areas. However, a groundbreaking discovery has rewritten the records: a male humpback whale was documented traveling over 8,100 miles (13,000 km) from Colombia to Zanzibar, setting a new longitudinal migration record for the species.
A journey for the record books
This outstanding individual was photographed for the first time in 2013 in the Gulf of Tribugá off Colombia’s Pacific coast. In 2017, he was again spotted off Bahía Solano, also in Colombia. The big surprise was to find the same animal off Zanzibar, southwestern Indian Ocean, in 2022. The straight-line distance between these records was 8,100 miles (13,046 km) — the longest journey between two breeding grounds.
@Happywhale
This was made possible through an artificial intelligence-powered platform called Happywhale that identifies the from of their flukes, or fins. Since each of these whales had distinctive notches and markings on their respective tails, it was easy to confirm which whale it was, based on this characteristic shape.
Unusual behavior–evolutionary strategies
In the case of the humpback whale, it usually stays faithful to feeding and breeding areas, making this particular case an exceptional one. Why would this whale embark on such a long and strange journey? Scientists suggested several probable reasons: seeking new opportunities to mate, competition for resources, and climate change disrupting the normal feeding areas.
It could be a male desperately searching for a mate or an individual exploring new habitats in response to environmental pressures“, said Ekaterina Kalashnikova, a marine biologist at the Tanzania Cetaceans Program and co-author of the study, in an interview with the BBC.
These movements may represent an evolutionary strategy to adapt to a rapidly changing world. For example, climate change has altered the distribution of krill–small shrimp-like crustaceans and a primary food source for humpback whales–forcing these animals to alter their migratory routes in order to conserve energy.
The role of citizen science
But perhaps most importantly, citizen science played a critical role in this discovery. The photos that helped track the whale‘s journey were uploaded to Happywhale by researchers and enthusiasts from around the world. It really shows the power of collaboration between scientists and the public in producing groundbreaking findings.
“Happywhale is an incredibly valuable tool that has enabled global collaboration,” said Christie McMillan, a marine biologist with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Cetacean Research Program. “Without public participation tracking movements of this magnitude would have been impossible.”
An uncertain future for humpback whales
This is one remarkable journey that shows just how incredible humpback whales are, but does also beg the question about their future. As human activities increase, alongside the effects of climate change, their migratory behaviors may become even more altered.
We need to further research and conservation efforts in order to better understand these movements and protect these animals”, Kalashnikova said. Long-term data sets, along with new technologies like Happywhale, will be key in keeping track of the humpback whales for their sustainability.
