Humpback whales are returning to the waters of Rio de Janeiro. They migrate here annually from Antarctica to breed. About 40 years ago there were 2,000 of them. Now more than 30,000 individuals swim.
Humpback whales almost went extinct due to whaling. It is estimated that the population originally consisted of 150,000 individuals. In the 18th century, active commercial hunting of humpback whales began. By 1966, almost 90% of these marine animals had been exterminated.
It is believed that the number of humpback whales already reaches 60,000 individuals. But it is impossible to give an accurate assessment, since the habitat of these mammals is very large. This species is no longer endangered.
The humpback whale is found throughout the world’s oceans, with the exception of the ice-covered areas of the Arctic and Antarctic. This is a fairly large cetacean. The largest individuals grow up to 17 meters in length. On average, humpback whales weigh 30 tons. Cetaceans are at the top of the food chain and play an important role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem.
