While humpback whales conduct some of the longest migrations of any animal in the world, this particular whale’s trip is nevertheless surprising. Humpback whales tend to follow the same longitudinal (north-south) migration patterns, usually visiting the same cold feeding grounds and warm breeding grounds, according to the study.

A humpback whale has been recorded in the Shannon estuary for the first time. The whale was first spotted by a passenger travelling on the ferry between Tarbert in Co Kerry and Killimer in Co Clare. The latest sighting was yesterday evening near Moneypoint nearly 30km up the estuary.