Results

University of Hawai?i at Manoa

06/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2025 13:50

VNR: New humpback whale film reveals epic journey, urgent science

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Contact:

Link to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmrksxoTYEk

Link to soundbites (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/fDFPVeT5Ez

Breathtaking footage of humpback whales is part of a new 12-minute video released in partnership between the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Dolphin Quest, in celebration of World Ocean Day (June 8). "In the Wake of Whales" follows UH scientists as they study and monitor the annual migration of humpback whales from Alaska to Hawaiʻi.

The video offers fascinating insights into one of nature's most remarkable journeys-when thousands of whales travel nearly 3,000 miles to Hawaiʻi each year to give birth. Among the many facts shared: pregnant females do not eat during the journey, relying entirely on their fat reserves; and a single pregnancy costs a mother about 22 million calories, including 97 pounds of fetal growth per day in the final months.

"Understanding the biology and behavior of humpback whales is essential, especially now as changing ocean conditions threatens their habitats and migratory patterns," said MMRP Director Lars Bejder. "This video helps explain how their endurance and sacrifices are truly extraordinary."

Whale tails, whale tales

The video features researchers documenting whale behaviors, collecting data and photographing the flukes of individual whales. These unique tail markings act as IDs and are uploaded to Happy Whale, a global database available to scientists and the public. With more than 10,000 whales cataloged-representing about 80% of the estimated 12,000 whales that migrate to Hawaiʻi-MMRP's collection is the largest in the world.

"Dolphin Quest is honored to support this research and help share it with the public," said Dolphin Quest Co-Founder Rae Stone. "This project combines the best of science, education and conservation-and makes it accessible for everyone."

MMRP operates from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology on Moku o Loʻe in Kāneʻohe Bay and has been focused on humpback whale research for the past five years, in strategic collaboration with the Alaska Whale Foundation. This work has helped illuminate how changing ocean conditions and increased marine heatwaves may be affecting whale health, reproduction and migration.

Dolphin Quest, founded in 1988, has locations on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi and Bermuda. Its mission is "to protect marine animals and their environments through experiential learning and scientific discovery." Learn more about their worldwide conservation impact.

The video aims to inspire and educate viewers of all ages on the importance of protecting humpback whales. At the end of the film, a QR code invites viewers to support ongoing research and conservation efforts. Visit the MMRP website to support marine mammal research.

"In the Wake of Whales" is now available for viewing.

Link to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmrksxoTYEk

Link to soundbites (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/fDFPVeT5Ez

SOUNDBITES:

Lars Bejder (Bye-der, rhymes with spider), University of Hawaiʻi Marine Mammal Research Program Director

(0:16)

"We have now measured the health of almost 10,000 individuals in Hawaiʻi and Alaska. Putting that into context that about 12,000 humpback whales visit the Hawaiian Islands every year. So we have the world's largest database now on humpback whale health."

(0:17)

"How people can help these animals in this project per se, well, one is just being good stewards of the ocean-taking care of what you throw in the ocean, how you treat the planet, how you treat the environment. And people can also directly support the program."

(0:06)

"Humpback whales are sentinels of ocean health, which means that if you have healthy whales, it means you have healthy oceans."

(0:15)

"We're using calibrated drones, we're using suction cup tags that are non-invasive. So all this new technology is allowing us to learn about these animals that we couldn't have done 5, 10 years ago and that's why some of these new results are so exciting."

Possible short teaser bite:

(0:08)

"I want people to walk away with a sense of awe of these animals and the importance of protecting our oceans and these species."

University of Hawai?i at Manoa published this content on June 08, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 08, 2025 at 19:50 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io