Photo: GUDKOVANDREY/Depositphotos
Humpback whales live in all the world’s major oceans.
They migrate great distances, scooping up plankton and krill with mouths full of baleen.
Known for their grace, the magnificent creatures were also coveted by whalers.
Photo: GUDKOVANDREY/Depositphotos
From the 19th century through the mid-20th century, their numbers were decimated by commercial whaling.
At one point there were as few as 700 of the creatures swimming in the North Atlantic.
The humpback whale, orMegaptera novaeangliae, is a truly magnificent creature.
Photo: GUDKOVANDREY/Depositphotos
Weighing in at about 40 tons, the adults enjoy propelling themselves out of the water in dramatic breaches.
Underwater,they singto each otherespecially during the mating season.
These gentle giants even travel over3,500 milesto find their partners.
Based on the positive findings, Environment Minister Sussan Ley delisted the species.
She noted that most of her decisions are placing species on the list and that removing one was refreshing.
But despite this protection, some conservationists fear delisting the species is overly ambitious.
Saving the whales is still an important goal, but any good news is great news.
