Okinawa Churashima Foundation confirms humpback whale mate between January and February

Okinawa Churashima Foundation confirms humpback whale mate between January and February

A humpback whale breaching, found during the study by the Churashima Research Center


July 7, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

Okinawa Churashima Foundation, a general incorporated foundation, in Motobu Town, has published findings from a 21-year research project about the reproductive cycles of humpback whales that visit the ocean around Okinawa. The study focused on the peak season of reproduction when mating and delivery occur, and the analysis was published in an online academic journal.

The study was conducted for 21 years, between 1991 and 2012. In that time, 1,284 random samples of male and female humpback whales’ mating patterns were recorded. The study categorized the structure of groups of humpback whales and made observations on their behavior.

According to the analysis, matching pairs of male and female whales were frequently found from late January to late February. In addition, groups that consist of more than three matching pairs of male and female whales were frequently found. Meanwhile, female samples with calves increased between mid-February and late March. The study estimated that many humpback whales that visit the ocean around Okinawa reproduce from January to late February, and have a gestation period of approximately one year, delivering calves after mid-February.

Okinawa Churashima Research Center staff member Nozomi Kobashi stressed the significance of the study, saying, “Although whale watching is popular, many things about the humpback whale are unknown. This finding will help conservation efforts in future because the tourism industry will be able to avoid disturbing them during their important (reproductive) process.”

(English translation by T&CT and Sayaka Sakuma)　

Go to Japanese


　


Previous Article:
Next Article:

[Similar Articles]