The migrating Humpback Whales of Western Australia are on the move and southbound to the nutrient rich waters of Antarctica. A round journey of approximately 13,000 kilometres takes on a whole new meaning when feeding is not involved and you are relying on fat reserves built up over last summer. So for many of our migrating Humpback Whales they are on the skinnier side after not having fed for 3-6 months depending on when they left the cooling waters of Antarctica as we approached winter. The season has now changed and things are starting to warm up a bit, meaning that belly is also starting to rumble! The drive to migrate is now focused on heading south and conserving energy.
Two adult whales travelling in an escort pod this morning were focusing on that next step of their migration after seeming to have caught up on some rest during their time in the waters off Rottnest Island. The steady pace of the southern migration is carefully timed so our migrating Humpback Whales do not arrive too early in the waters of Antarctica when krill levels are minimal resulting in a hungry Humpback Whale needing to work harder to find food. The need to arrive home to a fridge full of good food after a big a trip is something we could probably all relate to easily!
