The third leg of the fieldwork took place offshore of Cabo Frio, Brazil from 4th June to 7th July 2024, recording the body condition of humpback whales at the start of their breeding season as they arrive in Brazil from their feeding grounds in South Georgia and the Scotia Arc. During fourteen days in the field, humpbacks were observed every day, as well as killer whales, bottlenose dolphins and a southern right whale.
A total of 69 drone flights were conducted and 98 individual humpback whales were measured. In addition, 20 skin and blubber biopsy samples were collected to determine the sex and pregnancy status of some of the measured whales. Humpback whales were mostly encountered in groups of 2 to 6 individuals. The majority (86%) of measured whales were adults, and 14% were potential juveniles. No mother-calf pairs were seen, but one mother-yearling pair was encountered and measured. Read the report here.