A note on movements of southern right whales between the sub-Antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands, New Zealand

Research reveals that southern right whales between the sub-Antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands, New Zealand, are part of one intermingling population. Analysis of 248 whale photographs identified three individuals first seen at the Auckland Islands in 1995 or 1996, later observed at Campbell Island in 1997, while another whale sighted at Campbell Island in 1995 was recorded at the Auckland Islands later that winter. This marks the first evidence of both within- and between-year movements, challenging previous assumptions about distinct populations. The study used photographic identification to track individual whales, providing insights into their migratory behavior across these sub-Antarctic habitats.

Patenaude, N. J., Todd, B., & Stewart, R. (2020). A note on movements of southern right whales between the sub-Antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands, New Zealand. J. Cetacean Res. Manage., 121–123. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.vi.294