WHALES
Blue whales are the largest animals that lived. There are two sub-species in the Southern Hemisphere, the Antarctic and the slightly smaller, but still very large pygmy blue whale. They measure up to a whopping 24 meters, which is roughly the length of a tennins court. All blue whale populations were severely exploited by commercial whaling in the 20th century.
Like most Maui dolphins, New Zealand’s pygmy blue whale occur off the west coast the North Island. Unusually, this population of at least 718 individuals is genetically distinct from other blue whales in the Pacific and Southern Oceans and does not migrate to do not migrate south to feed near Antarctica but appear to be permanent residents at a feeding ground in the South Taranaki Bight.The area is also part of the migration route of Southern right and humpback whales.
Research has shown that noise pollution may affect blue whales' ability to communicate, particularly in the South Taranaki Bight, where most of the country's offshore oil and gas rigs are concentrated and seismic blasts are used in the search for more fossil fuels. Climate change may also affect blue whales throughout the Southern Hemisphere by depleting or shifting the distribution of prey.
Like most Maui dolphins, New Zealand’s pygmy blue whale occur off the west coast the North Island. Unusually, this population of at least 718 individuals is genetically distinct from other blue whales in the Pacific and Southern Oceans and does not migrate to do not migrate south to feed near Antarctica but appear to be permanent residents at a feeding ground in the South Taranaki Bight.The area is also part of the migration route of Southern right and humpback whales.
Research has shown that noise pollution may affect blue whales' ability to communicate, particularly in the South Taranaki Bight, where most of the country's offshore oil and gas rigs are concentrated and seismic blasts are used in the search for more fossil fuels. Climate change may also affect blue whales throughout the Southern Hemisphere by depleting or shifting the distribution of prey.
