✓ The Conversation AustraliaPlanet & Environment
Southern Ocean heatwave may be shifting whale and bird behaviour
Humpback sightings dropped as unusual seabird movements raised questions about Southern Ocean conditions.
Whale watchers in southwest Western Australia reported humpback numbers 60% below normal. A week later, birdwatchers saw unusually large numbers of rarely seen albatrosses and petrels off Australia’s east coast, far from their usual Southern Ocean foraging grounds, with many in poor condition.
The article says a persistent marine heatwave may be affecting currents, weather and prey, but monitoring is too limited to confirm the link.
- 60% below normal
- Humpbacks
- Since February
- Heatwave start
- rarely seen albatrosses and petrels
- Bird sighting
- 2014 to 2016
- Historic example
Why it mattersIf the heatwave is driving animals off course, it points to stress deeper in the food chain.
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