whales
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Australian Humpback Whales Are Singing Less and Fighting More, Should We Be Worried?
As eastern Australian humpback whale populations have recovered over the years, males have adapted their mating strategy in a highly strategic way, new research finds. I analysed 123 days’ worth of data on Australian humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae), collected from 1997 to 2015, and found male humpbacks sang less and fought more as the whale population…
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A Dead Whale Found Off New York’s Shore Had Human-Caused Injuries, Experts Say
The recent death of a humpback whale that ended up on the shores of Staten Island, New York this month may have involved humans. Conservation experts who examined the whale say they found evidence of at least two human-caused injuries, including metal stuck in its guts. A final determination of the cause of death has…
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These Magnificent Whales are Adapting to Warming Water, But How Much Can They Take?
The start of November marks the end of the whale season in the Southern Hemisphere. As summer approaches, whales that were breeding along the east and west coasts of Australia, Africa and South America will now swim further south to feed around Antarctica. This annual cycle of whales coming and going has taken place for…
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Swimming With Whales: Know the Risks and When It’s Best to Keep Your Distance
Three people were injured last month in separate humpback whale encounters off the Western Australia coast. The incidents happened during snorkelling tours on Ningaloo Reef when swimmers came too close to a mother and her calf. Swim encounters with humpback whales are relatively new in the Australian wildlife tourism portfolio. The WA tours are part…