Western Australia's whale migration hits lowest level in decades
Humpback whales migrating along WA coast hit lowest numbers in decades, with calf numbers down 50 to 60 per cent.
The number of humpback whales swimming past Western Australia is at its lowest in decades. Scientists blame climate change, declining krill in Antarctic waters, and illness.
More whale carcasses have washed up on Perth beaches over the past month than usual, triggering shark warnings. Fewer calves are making the journey south than normal, with one observation point near Exmouth seeing just two calves a day instead of up to 12.
Researchers spotted unusual behaviour: pods heading south one day, then north the next. A super El Niño event is shifting ocean temperatures and currents, possibly pushing carcasses toward shore.
Krill numbers have fallen because warming seas are melting Antarctic ice.
- 50 to 60 per cent fewer
- Calf decline
- Two calves a day versus typical 12
- Exmouth observation point
- 13 metres humpback whale
- Recent carcass size
Why it mattersFewer breeding whales and more young animals dying signals a population struggling with food shortage and climate stress, affecting a species that recovered from near extinction.
AustraliaWhale watching is a major WA tourism draw, and declining migration numbers and beach closures from carcasses affect coastal communities and the industry.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
