An international study involving researchers from Auckland University shows humpback breeding is getting more competitive, which suggests the population is growing. Marine biologist Emma Carroll had been working with researchers in New Caledonia to track the local humpback whales. But when their population was decimated in the 1960s and 70s, humpback whales lost the luxury to be picky. "We think that when the population is low, the fact that young males and older males have the similar chances of having offspring, that is actually quite good for the population," she said. "Then we see as the population gets bigger, there's this kind of preference towards older males.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 05, 2026 08:24 UTC