The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) follows a seasonal migration pattern between its breeding grounds in warmer waters and its feeding grounds in colder, nutrient-rich waters. This journey covers thousands of kilometers every year.
Southern Right Whale Migration Cycle
1. Winter & Spring (June – December) → Breeding & Calving
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Location: Peninsula Valdés, Argentina, and other coastal areas of southern Brazil and Uruguay.
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Why?:
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Pregnant females give birth in the calm, shallow, and warm waters of Peninsula Valdés.
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Mating also occurs during this period.
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Mothers nurse their calves until they are strong enough for the long migration.
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Best time for sightings: September – October (peak calving season).
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2. Summer & Fall (December – May) → Feeding in the Southern Ocean
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Location: Subantarctic and Antarctic waters, mainly near the Patagonian Shelf, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
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Why?:
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These regions are rich in krill and copepods, the primary food sources for southern right whales.
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The whales bulk up on blubber to sustain them during the fasting period in their breeding grounds.
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Whales are rarely seen near the coast during this time since they are in deeper, colder waters.
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Summary of Migration Route
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Peninsula Valdés (June – December) → Breeding, calving, and mating.
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Open ocean migration (December – January) → Moving towards feeding grounds.
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Antarctic waters (January – May) → Feeding period.
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Return migration (May – June) → Back to Peninsula Valdés for the next breeding season.
The route of the Southern Right Whale from Peninsula Valdes
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