Scientists discover what could be an entirely new species of whale
While searching for a rare whale species off the coast of Mexico, a group of scientists says they have instead spotted what they believe is an entirely new species of the marine mammal. Three beaked whales were spotted breaching the water surface near the remote San Benito Islands by researchers Read More...
Two belugas traveled 6,000 miles from captivity to new refuge in Iceland
Little Grey and Little White - these are the names of two beluga whales that have recently traveled thousands of miles to their new home in Iceland where they will be able to live in the open sea for the first time in nearly a decade. The sea canaries, as they’re also known for their Read More...
Scientists team up with trained dolphins to create data-collecting drone
Over the last decades, whale and dolphin populations around the world have dwindled significantly as a result of human activities. And while conservationists are working hard to help these animals recover, collecting data about their health in a non-invasive way can be extremely difficult. To Read More...
Humpback whales are enjoying a remarkable recovery
Known to be the longest migratory mammals on the planet and some of the ocean’s most remarkable singers, the humpback whale is probably the world’s most recognizable whale. It turns out, however, that the mammal is also one of the best instances of successful conservation efforts. Many humpback Read More...
A major whaling company in Iceland is hanging up its harpoons for good
For decades the whale populations have been in decline, but this past year has seen a number of key developments that suggest whale populations are rebounding. In October, we published a story about southwest Atlantic humpback whales, which have returned from the brink of extinction after excessive Read More...
Researchers celebrate sudden uptick in Antarctic blue whale sightings
South Georgia, a sub-Antarctic island, was at the epicenter for whale hunting in the early 20th century. The territory's boats with their steam-powered harpoons caused populations of the Antarctic blue whale to drop so badly that there had only been a few isolated sightings of the whale around the Read More...
Whales have an amazing potential in fighting climate change
While trees may be the best nature-based terrestrial solution to capturing carbon from human emissions, a new report shows that the ocean has its own gentle giants with an incredible potential to combat climate change — whales. According to the report, published by the International Monetary Read More...
Scientists are deploying satellites to monitor whale strandings from space
Back in 2015, Chile saw one of the largest mass mortality of baleen whales in recorded history, tallying at least 343 whales. But the remote location of the stranding meant that it went unreported for weeks, after which whales went missing and decomposition made it hard to determine how the whales Read More...
Southwest Atlantic humpback whales have returned from the brink of extinction
In the late 1920s, humpback whales in the southwest Atlantic became so rare that whaling ships could only find and catch a few dozen individuals per year. It was estimated that some 27,000 humpbacks frequented the southwest Atlantic at the start of the 20th century, but due to intensive commercial Read More...
New York Harbor sees whale populations rebound due to cleaner waters
Over the last couple of decades, due to high levels of pollution and overfishing, the waters surrounding New York City have become devoid of some of their original marine inhabitants, such as the humpback whale. But, thanks to successful environmental policies, the gorgeous mammals are back in the Read More...