Sole Mating Grounds
Costa Rica is the sole
place in the world where
the two populations of
humpback whales, those
from the northern and
the southern
hemispheres, coincide to
mate and give birth to
their calves.
This data surfaced in
research done by
Universidad Nacional
(the Costa Rican state
National University).
The mating areas are
located in the
neighborhood of Caño
Island and Marenco
Point, in the south
Pacific, and in
Cuajiniquil Bay, in the
northern Pacific.
Even though the whales
arrive at different
times of the year, in
the months of November
and December the two
groups share Cuajiniquil
Bay.
Marine biologist Damian
Martinez explained that,
until now, scientists
had observed the
humpbacks feed and move
off California and
Chile, but then lost
track of them for a
period of time.
It was when they came to
Costa Rica that they
watched males fighting
for a female, listened
to mating songs, and
watched newborn calves. |
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