Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Humpback Whale Supergroup Spotted Off South Africa
A couple in South Africa saw a huge group of almost 300 humpback whales together, which is very rare.
This shows that whale numbers are growing again because people stopped hunting them a long time ago.
But now, there are more ships in the area because of wars in the Middle East, which can hurt the whales.
Scientists are worried about this and want to make sure ships go slower near the coast to protect the whales.
A supergroup of nearly 300 humpback whales was spotted off the coast of South Africa.
The sighting indicates a strong recovery in whale populations due to the global ban on commercial whaling.
Humpback whale numbers have risen from fewer than 10,000 to over 100,000.
Increased ship traffic due to conflicts in the Middle East poses a new threat to whales.
Scientists are pushing for speed limits for ships near the coast to reduce the risk of collisions with whales.
- Who
- Chris and Monique Fallows, scientists, and conservation experts
- What
- A supergroup of nearly 300 humpback whales was spotted off the coast of South Africa.
- When
- December 2025
- Where
- Off the coast of South Africa
- Why
- The sighting points to a strong recovery in whale populations due to the global ban on commercial whaling, but the Iran war and increased ship traffic pose new threats.
Conservation Success
Increasing Threats
Whale Population Recovery
Conservation Success
The humpback whale population has significantly recovered due to the global ban on commercial whaling, with numbers rising from fewer than 10,000 to over 100,000.
Increasing Threats
Despite the recovery, whales still face threats from fishing gear, ship strikes, and climate change, with seven of the 14 great whale species remaining endangered or vulnerable.
Impact of Global Conflicts
Conservation Success
The moratorium on whaling has been a strong conservation success story, leading to the recovery of whale populations.
Increasing Threats
The Iran war and conflicts in the Middle East have increased ship traffic around southern Africa, quadrupling since December 2023, which poses a new threat to whales due to the risk of collisions.
- Location
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Whale Count
- 299 humpback whales
- Population Recovery
- From fewer than 10,000 to over 100,000
- Threats
- Fishing gear, ship strikes, climate change, and increased ship traffic
- Conservation Status
- Seven of the 14 great whale species are endangered or vulnerable