Humpback Whale Sets Record with 8,106-Mile Migration Across Oceans

The whale's unprecedented journey between South America and East Africa reveals surprising behavior and raises questions about environmental and social factors influencing migration.

• A male humpback whale traveled 8,106 miles from Colombia to Zanzibar, marking the longest recorded migration for the species.
• This journey is the first documented case of an adult male humpback crossing between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, connecting two distinct breeding grounds.
• Researchers suggest environmental changes, competition for mates, or food scarcity may have driven the whale's unusual route.
• The discovery was made using Happy Whale, a citizen science platform that tracks whales through unique tail markings, contributing to a global database of over 109,000 whales.
• The findings highlight the interconnectedness of ocean ecosystems and suggest potential shifts in humpback whale migration patterns due to environmental and social pressures.

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