[Animals] The melancholic songs of humpback whales cease as their po[CENSORED]tion recovers

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After being driven to extinction by commercial hunting, the melancholic songs of humpback whales were heard below the seas. Decades later, it is regaining its natural vigor.
Behind the deafening noise of the industrial fishing vessels, lamentations and melancholic songs are perceived. It is no coincidence: humpback whales felt lonely, following the significant decline in numbers that had been seen in the oceans for decades.

However, this behavior appears to have been reversed in Australia: with the species' re-establishment in the southern region, it appears that humpback whales no longer need their melancholic songs. Instead, they are able to spend more time with their family and friends, which makes them feel less alone.

Also read: Humpback whales are born in Mexico to learn to survive

A community wound that is healing
Humpback whales inherit their language to their offspring through song. Without many specimens in sight, the hatchlings could only learn sad songs. This phenomenon was first detected in the 1970s, when a team of biologists submerged microphones in the sea to understand how these cetaceans communicated.

The researchers were surprised to note that the humpback whales' songs were melancholic. pitiful. As in a heavy lethargy of loneliness. Largely because their mates and family members were being driven to extinction by commercial hunting.

“IT WAS HARDER AND DIFFICULT TO FIND SINGERS,” LAMENTS REBECCA DUNLOP, WHO WORKS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND IN BRISBANE. “WHEN THERE WERE LESS OF THEM, THERE WAS A LOT OF SINGING; NOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY, THERE IS NO NEED TO SING SO MUCH”.

With the strict international ban on this practice, one of the greatest success stories in conservation, underwater singing changed. After the end of commercial whaling, the southern po[CENSORED]tion recovered dramatically. In fact, this is considered one of the world's greatest conservation successes.

Also read: Bubble net: the unique strategy of humpback whales to feed

less gloomy songs
As a marine biologist at Dalhousie University (Canada), Boris Worm knows that animals change their behavior as their po[CENSORED]tions recover from extinction. Although he was not involved in the study, he acknowledges that humpback whales' songs and calls are becoming less lugubrious.

Although the sea is still awash with the cacophony caused by fishing boats, the increase in the Australian po[CENSORED]tion of the species is a unique opportunity to analyze how their behavior changes. Perhaps, from now on, the language of cetaceans will become more elaborate: they will have more companions with which to share it, and make it more complex.

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/paran-los-cantos-melancolicos-de-las-ballenas-jorobadas-en-los-mares/