Friday, October 24, 2025
9.9 C
Srinagar

Climate change delaying blue whale migration: expert

Canberra: Warming oceans are delaying the migration of blue whales, Australian experts have warned.

Karen Edyvane, a marine biologist from Australian National University, on Monday raised concerns about significant delays to the migration of pygmy blue whales past the Timor Leste coastline.

A subspecies of blue whale that grows up to 24 meters long, pygmy blue whales migrate thousands of kilometers south every year from breeding grounds off the coast of Indonesia past Timor Leste to Australian waters in October and November.

However, Edyvane told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she is “extremely alarmed” after not sighting any whales during the last six weeks in Timor Leste.

A former senior government scientist and member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature World Commission on Protected Areas, Edyvane attributed the delayed migration to climate change.

“What we’re seeing is major changes to the oceanography of the region, particularly in terms of upwelling strengths,” Edyvane said.

“Climate change is having an impact on the migration of the blue whale and it’s delayed the season by four to six weeks. We’re also seeing impacts on the actual health of the animals.”

It comes after Edyvane raised concerns about the health of pygmy blue whales after observing malnourished individuals during the 2022 southern migration, which she said was likely the result of warm ocean temperatures.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology in September declared an El Nino weather event in the Pacific.

The event is linked to hotter, drier weather in Australia but typically drives down ocean temperatures in the north, which Edyvane said should increase food supply for the whales.

Hot this week

Baramulla Police arrests individual misusing the title of journalist in multiple extortion and blackmail cases

Baramulla:  Baramulla Police have arrested Riyaz Ahmad Mugloo for...

Radio Uri 90 FM: The Voice That Unites the Borderlands

Sheikh SanjeelUri : In the breathtaking yet challenging terrain...

Legislative Assembly pays glowing tributes to former Governor, Legislators

Srinagar: The Autumn Session of Legislative Assembly of Jammu...

“Night of cries”: Massive midnight blaze guts 9 houses, one godown in Habba Kadal

 Families rendered homeless, as flames rip through congested Karfali...

PDP Urges Speaker To Include J&K Waqf Board Resolution In Assembly Agenda

Srinagar : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para...

Topics

Radio Uri 90 FM: The Voice That Unites the Borderlands

Sheikh SanjeelUri : In the breathtaking yet challenging terrain...

Legislative Assembly pays glowing tributes to former Governor, Legislators

Srinagar: The Autumn Session of Legislative Assembly of Jammu...

“Night of cries”: Massive midnight blaze guts 9 houses, one godown in Habba Kadal

 Families rendered homeless, as flames rip through congested Karfali...

PDP Urges Speaker To Include J&K Waqf Board Resolution In Assembly Agenda

Srinagar : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Para...

CM Omar Abdullah Urges Speaker To Adopt Parliament Procedure For Obituary References

Srinagar : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday paid...

Speaker slams Kupwara administration over omission of Ex-MLA in obituary reference

Srinagar :Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday slammed the...

BJP protests against NC MLA’s “communal party” remark

Srinagar : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday held...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img