CNN —A male humpback whale has made an extraordinary journey from South America to Africa — traveling more than 13,046 kilometers (8,106 miles) — the longest migration recorded for a single whale, a new study found. Humpback whales typically return to specific breeding locations each year because whale populations tend to be geographically distinct. The future of migrationWhaling in the 20th century killed nearly 95% to 99% of the humpback whale population in the Indian Ocean, according to Cheeseman. As a result, little information remains about the behavior and lives of humpback whales in that region. However, if exceptions to standard migratory patterns continue, Cheeseman suggests that humpback whales may adopt behaviors from other populations.

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Persons: ”, Ted Cheeseman, Cheeseman, Ari Friedlaender, Humpbacks, Ekaterina Kalashnikova, ” Cheeseman, ” Friedlaender, “ Organizations: CNN, Pacific, Royal Society Open Science, Southern Cross University, West, University of California Locations: South America, Africa, Colombia, Zanzibar, East Africa, Australia, North, Alaska, Gulf, Maine, Norway, West Indies, Cape Verde, Santa Cruz, Zanzibar Channel, Fumba, Tanzanian, Unguja, Cheeseman