The Great Whale Trail follows the migration of humpback whales
from the warm tropical waters of the South Pacific, where they
breed, to the icy Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where they
feed. Click on the whale icon to see more information about the
individual whales.
The whales are heading to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary,
which should be a safe haven for them. Unfortunately, whaling still
continues there, and while the Japanese government has backed down
in the face of public pressure, and announced that no humpbacks
will be hunted this year, other whales will still be killed,
including endangered fin whales.
These whales may still be hunted, as the Japanese government has
given no promise to abandon the hunt completely, and in fact
intends to expand its whaling efforts in coming years.
