Two Humpback Whales Set Records for Crossings Between Australia and Brazil

Scientists have documented two humpback whales that each completed record-setting journeys between breeding sites in Australia and Brazil. The whales were identified through distinctive tail markings visible in photographs taken at locations roughly 9,000 miles apart. One whale traveled just over 9,300 miles, surpassing previous known records for the species.

Researchers examined more than 19,000 whale images gathered by research groups and citizen scientists over the past four decades. Recognition software matched the tail patterns and jagged edges of the same individuals at both sites. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Scientists said the crossings occurred in opposite directions. Exact routes taken by the two whales remain unknown because photographs only show them at the start and end points. Researchers noted that the whales may have encountered others on shared feeding grounds and then continued to a different breeding site instead of returning to their original location.

The same photographic methods can help monitor population movements as ocean temperatures rise and potentially shift where krill are found.