Humpback Whale

Arabian Sea humpbacks may be a unique subspecies at risk of extinction

Humpback whales found in the Arabian Sea are likely a distinct subspecies, having evolved in isolation for tens of thousands of years, according to a newly published genetic analysis. “Arabian Sea humpback whales have long been an enigma to the scientific community,” lead author Rita Amaral, from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), said in a […]

Mongabay · 10/7/2026

I'm a wildlife cameraman but 'special' rare sightings can still take me by surprise

Wildlife cameraman Dan Abbot is caught off guard by a humpback whale, a rare sight in Welsh waters.

BBC Science & Environment · 10/3/2026

Humpback whale mother may have mourned her dead calf for days

Researchers observed a humpback whale mother staying beside her presumed stillborn calf for hours and possibly days off Australia’s Gold Coast. She maintained eye contact and remained close to the calf in behavior resembling caregiving and nurturing. Scientists say the rare observation may provide new insight into grief, maternal attachment, and emotional complexity in humpback whales.

ScienceDaily Plants & Animals · 9/22/2026

Humpback whale mother with stillborn calf shows ‘grief-like’ behaviour

For the first time, researchers have seen a humpback mother interacting with her stillborn calf, reporting that she stayed close to it for at least two days

New Scientist Life · 9/16/2026

Marine heatwave likely caused sharp decline in Hawaiian humpback whales, study finds

Roughly a decade ago, a marine heatwave in the northeastern Pacific Ocean caused a dramatic decline in populations of forage fish and krill, the base of the marine food chain. A recent study found that the Hawaiian humpback whale population, which feeds on krill and small fish, also declined sharply during the 2013-16 heatwave and […]

Mongabay · 9/15/2026

Sightings of humpback whales surge in Rio de Janeiro, fueling demand for whale-watching trips

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro’s coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration. The species’ population has jumped from around 2,000 to around 35,000 […]

Mongabay · 7/2/2026