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Falls in whale sightings, rare seabirds appearing—is something unusual happening in the Southern Ocean?
In late June, whale watchers in southwest Western Australia sounded the alarm. They had seen far fewer humpback whales at a time when they normally migrate up from the Southern Ocean to calve and feed.
AI Summary
A recent decline in whale sightings in the Southern Ocean has been observed, with humpback whales seen at significantly lower numbers than usual. This decrease is particularly notable during the time when these whales typically migrate to the area to give birth and feed. The drop in whale sightings has been reported by whale watchers in southwest Western Australia, who have seen numbers 60% below normal. This unusual trend has sparked interest in the region's ecosystem, particularly in the Southern Ocean. The decrease in whale sightings is being observed alongside an increase in sightings of rare seabirds in the area. While the exact cause of these changes is not yet clear, the unusual combination of these events suggests that something may be amiss in the Southern Ocean's ecosystem.
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