First Documented Case of Male Humpback Whales Engaging in Sexual Activity

Captured off the coast of Maui, the rare encounter raises questions about animal behavior and sexual diversity.

Two male humpback whales were documented engaging in sexual activity off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, marking the first recorded instance of such behavior in their species.
The encounter, captured by photographers in January 2022, has sparked discussions among scientists about the prevalence and implications of same-sex behavior in the animal kingdom.
One of the whales involved was noted to be in poor health, raising questions about the context and motivations behind the interaction.
Researchers emphasize the importance of not making broad assumptions about animal behavior based on single observations.
The discovery contributes to a growing body of evidence that same-sex sexual interactions are widespread among various animal species.