Recent research in 2025 reveals that humpback whale calving areas extend much further south than previously thought. Newborn humpbacks have been spotted as far south as Tasmania and New Zealand, challenging the long-held assumption that these whales only give birth in warm, tropical waters like the Great Barrier Reef.
Key Discoveries
A study published in Frontiers in Marine Science in May 2025 documented over 200 sightings of newborn humpback calves in regions extending from Queensland to Tasmania and across to New Zealand's South Island. Researchers identified these calves by their folded-over dorsal fins and light grey or white coloration. This suggests a significant shift in humpback whale migration and breeding patterns.
Possible Explanations
Scientists are exploring several reasons for this change, including increased monitoring efforts and potential impacts from climate change. Warmer waters further south may now be providing suitable environments for calving. Rising sea surface temperatures off south-east Australia and Tasmania could be influencing these patterns.
Conservation Implications
The expansion of calving areas highlights the need for enhanced protection of mothers and calves in these newly identified zones. Increased human activities, such as ship traffic, pose threats, including ship strikes and entanglement risks. Vessel speed restrictions and rerouting are crucial to minimize interactions and ensure the safety of these vulnerable whales.