Humpback Whale Populations Decline Due to Climate Change Impact on Food Supply
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Researchers used AI to match photos of humpback whales, tracking individuals across oceans over 20 years. This revealed population growth after whaling, then recent decline.
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North Pacific humpback whales declined by about 7,000 from 2012-2021 due to a marine heatwave that reduced their food supply.
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Population had recovered to around 33,500 by 2012 after whaling ended in the 1970s, but the ocean could no longer support that number.
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Whales wintering off Hawaii saw a 34% drop since 2013, but the Mexico population barely declined, showing regional differences.
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While climate change may not threaten extinction like whaling did, it lowers the ocean's capacity to support humpbacks, revealing a new human impact.