What a sight! Tourists flock to watch massive humpback whale leap from the ocean

The giant humpback whale leapt from the ocean, its body curving through the air before crashing back down with a tremendous splash. For onlookers, it was an amazing sight.

Humpback whales are an awe-inspiring sight, and watching them breach is a phenomenal experience. These creatures can weigh up to 36,000 pounds and measure up to 60 feet in length. It's no wonder that tourists from all over the world flock to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

Whales are usually found in colder waters, but they migrate to tropical areas during the winter to breed and give birth. This yearly migration is a spectacular sight, as thousands of humpbacks can be seen breaching and spraying water into the air.

There are several places around the world where you can watch humpback whales breaching, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Mexico. Each location offers its own unique experience, so be sure to do your research before planning your trip.

If you're lucky enough to witness a humpback whale breach in person, be sure to take plenty of photos and videos to share with your friends and family. It's a moment you'll never forget!

Humpback whales are making a huge comeback off the California coast

After being hunted to near extinction 50 years ago, humpback whales are making a huge comeback off the California coast, according to a study released this week.

The study, led by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), found that the number of humpback whales in Central and Southern California has increased more than tenfold since the late 1960s.

"There were very few humpbacks here in the late '60s, and now their numbers are astronomical," said lead author Alisa Schulman-Janiger.

The resurgence of humpback whales is thought to be due in large part to the banning of commercial whaling in 1966. Humpback whales are now listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Despite their growing numbers, however, humpback whales remain threatened by things like ship strikes, climate change, and ocean noise pollution.

Researchers say it's important to continue studying humpback whales so we can better understand and protect them.

Drone video captures never-before-seen whale behavior in Monterey Bay

A drone captured footage of whales exhibiting never-before-seen behavior in Monterey Bay last week.

According to experts, the whales were likely feeding on a swarm of krill, which led them to bunch together in what is called a bait ball.

The video, shot by whale watching company Monterey Bay Whale Watch, shows the whales swimming around and jumping out of the water as they feed.

"To see this kind of surface activity was really extraordinary," said Giancarlo Thomae, a naturalist with the company. "I've been whale watching here for over 10 years and I've never seen anything like it."

Monterey Bay Whale Watch shared the video on its Facebook page, where it quickly went viral. As of Wednesday morning, it had been viewed more than 5 million times.

The footage offers a rare glimpse into the behavior of these majestic creatures and is a reminder of how much we still have to learn about them.

Researchers solve mystery of why whales sing

For many years, researchers have puzzled over why whales sing. Now, a team of scientists believe they may have finally solved the mystery.

The study, which was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, suggests that whales sing to communicate with each other. The team used computer models to study how sound travels through the ocean and found that whale songs are able to travel great distances.

"Our results suggest that singing is a way for whales to keep in touch with each other across long distances and in different parts of the ocean," said study author Dr. Simone Vagnoni.

Whale song has been celebrated for its beauty for many years, but little was known about its function until now. The new study sheds light on one of nature's most mysterious phenomena.

Baby whale rescues entangled adult

In a stunning display of heroism, a baby whale came to the rescue of its adult companion that was entangled in fishing gear. The rescue was captured on video by marine biologists off the coast of Dana Point, California.

The team from Pacific Marine Mammal Center were studying a pod of gray whales when they noticed one of the adults was dragging heavy fishing gear and appeared to be in distress. Without hesitation, the baby whale approached its companion and began nudging it gently toward the surface.

After several attempts, the baby was successful in freeing the adult from the fishing gear. The team from Pacific Marine Mammal Center were amazed by the display of courage and compassion shown by the baby whale.

"This is a heartwarming story," said Joanne Stefanyszyn, research biologist with PMMC. "We are so fortunate to have been there to witness this act of bravery."

The rescue was bittersweet, as it highlighted the dangers that marine animals face from discarded fishing gear. Fishing gear can often become tangled around animals like whales, dolphins, and seals, resulting in injuries or even death.

It's estimated that millions of pounds of debris are left in our oceans every year, posing a serious threat to marine life. Fortunately, acts of heroism like this remind us that there is still hope for our oceans and their inhabitants.