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Abstract

The recognized calving grounds of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that breed along the Western Australian coast (Breeding Stock D) extend along the Kimberley coast between Camden Sound and Broome (15°–18°S). However, there are reports of neonates further south, suggesting that the calving areas may be poorly defined. During aerial photogrammetric research in 2013 and 2015, we sighted large numbers of humpback whale calves along North West Cape (21°47′–22°43′S). We estimated the minimum relative calf abundance to be 463–603 in 2013 and 557–725 in 2015. We categorized the calves as either neonate or post neonate according to their color and size. The majority of calves sighted in both years (85% in 2013; 94% in 2015) were neonates. Our observations indicate that a minimum of approximately 20% (17.1%–24.3%) of the expected number of calves of this population are born near, or south of, North West Cape. We thus demonstrate that the calving grounds for the Breeding Stock D population extend south from Camden Sound in the Kimberley (15°S) to at least North West Cape (22°43′S), 1,000 km southwest of the currently recognized calving area.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Irvine, LG and Thums, M and Hanson, CE and McMahon, CR and Hindell, MA
Keywords:	Megaptera novaeangliae, humpback whale, calving areas, calving ground, neonate calves, Western Australia
Journal or Publication Title:	Marine Mammal Science
Publisher:	Soc Marine Mammalogy
ISSN:	0824-0469
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12456
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2017 Society for Marine Mammalogy
Related URLs:	UTAS Profile: McMahon, CR Google Scholar: Hindell, MA UTAS Profile: Hindell, MA
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