Least Concern· population increasing· assessed 2018

Humpback whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Sighting evidence at Whale Nursery, Sainte-Marie Island

Humpback whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any mammal, travelling from Antarctic krill grounds to warm tropical nursery sites each winter. Females give birth to single calves weighing nearly one tonne, and the bay here provides calm shallow water for calves to build strength before the return migration. Males produce the iconic complex song that can carry hundreds of kilometres underwater and may function in mate attraction.

Evidence at this site

1 record within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Aug 2024

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Humpback whale

Evidence at this site

Seasonality

Also seen at other sites