Humpback | Common News Update

Sep212020 by adminNo Comments

Humpback whale escapes crocodile-infested river

World

A humpback whale that made a wrong turn and entered a crocodile-infested river in Australia has managed to escape back to sea.The whale was first spotted in the East Alligator River in the Northern Territory's Kakadu National Park last week. Feach Moyle, Kakadu National Park manager, said: "It made its way out on the high tides and we're pleased it appeared to be in good condition and not suffering any ill effects." ...

Southwest Atlantic humpback whales on recovery path

Science

Media playback is unsupported on your device One of the whale populations taken to the edge of extinction by commercial hunting in the early 20th Century has essentially recovered its numbers.It's estimated the humpbacks that frequent the southwest Atlantic once totalled perhaps 27,000 animals.This group was reduced to only a few hundred by the steam-driven boats and harpoons operating out of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia.But a new study suggests the humpbacks are back close to where they were.It's reckoned there are now just short of 25,000 individuals in the southwest Atlantic - more than 90% of the pre-exploitation level. "It's a positive story," said Dr Alex Zerbini, the report's lead author from the National Marine Fishe...

Humpback whales travel to the Mediterranean to feed

Science

Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Humpback whales are visiting the Mediterranean to feed, according to a new study. Historically, humpback whales in the Mediterranean Sea have been a rare sight, but anecdotal evidence hinted at increased visitation over the last 150 years. Until now, researchers weren't sure why the large marine mammals were visiting the region. Now, scientists are certain the whales are coming to eat. The revelation was made possible by the serendipitous meeting of one young humpback and whale watching boat in the Strait of Gibraltar. The initial sighting allowed researchers in Spain to track the individual over two periods of consecutive days, each coinciding with spring tides. "For almost a month, it was possible to follow the animal within the Bay of Algeciras, taking exhaustive data...