Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
01 March 2026. Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Hunted to the brink of extinction by the 1960's Humpbacks are now increasing as a protected species. These are allegedly the North Pacific subspecies "M. n. kuzira" based on range, migration routes and genetic markers. However this designation is doubtful. Valid subspecies must be phenotypically distinct which these are not. This "subspecies" is further divided into several DPS (distinct population segments) for conservation purposes. Whales wintering in Mexico are considered "threatened" with increasing ship collisions being a concern. We saw at least three different individuals identified by "Happy Whale,"an organization that tracks them, based on their unique tail patterns.
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
01 March 2026. Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Hunted to the brink of extinction by the 1960's Humpbacks are now increasing as a protected species. These are allegedly the North Pacific subspecies "M. n. kuzira" based on range, migration routes and genetic markers. However this designation is doubtful. Valid subspecies must be phenotypically distinct which these are not. This "subspecies" is further divided into several DPS (distinct population segments) for conservation purposes. Whales wintering in Mexico are considered "threatened" with increasing ship collisions being a concern. We saw at least three different individuals identified by "Happy Whale,"an organization that tracks them, based on their unique tail patterns.
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
01 March 2026. Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Hunted to the brink of extinction by the 1960's Humpbacks are now increasing as a protected species. These are allegedly the North Pacific subspecies "M. n. kuzira"
#Nature #Wildlife #Whales