Humpback whales are increasingly being sighted off Rio de Janeiro, with their numbers in Brazilian waters recovering significantly. The population, which was fewer than 1,000 individuals in the late 1980s, is now estimated to be between 30,000 and 35,000.
Sightings in Rio have risen since 2014, with one juvenile humpback whale observed repeatedly within Guanabara Bay since mid-June this year. This marks a first for the bay, sparking speculation that whales are returning to historical areas.
Humpbacks migrate along the Brazilian coast between June and November to breed in warmer waters. While tourism can aid research by providing data, some marine biologists express concern about the potential impact of increased boat traffic on whale conservation.