Ukrainian Polar Researchers Encounter Humpback Whales

The National Antarctic Scientific Center recently shared breathtaking footage of Ukrainian polar researchers encountering a group of humpback whales near Peterman Island. This remarkable video, published on Facebook, showcases not only the whales themselves but also the impressive moments when the scientists conducted their observations.

Biologist Kyrylo Sulima, who participated in this expedition, used a crossbow and special darts to collect skin and fat samples from the whales. Following this, he continued to observe these magnificent marine creatures. According to Sulima, during the observation, several pairs of whales suddenly disappeared, diving to great depths. "There was about ten minutes of complete silence, and then suddenly the whales appeared right next to us. It was astonishing and unexpected," the scientist shared his impressions.

The humpback whales that approached the boat arched their backs, releasing powerful jets of air and condensed water vapor through their blowholes. "In reality, these sounds are much louder. Of course, it was a bit unsettling to have such a close encounter. But the humpbacks surfaced very cautiously, probably trying to avoid contact with the boat," the biologist noted, describing the atmosphere of this thrilling moment.

In addition to the whales, the scientists also captured on video an interesting meteorological phenomenon known as a halo. This phenomenon appears as a rainbow around the sun and occurs when a large number of ice crystals accumulate in the atmosphere. Such natural phenomena always attract the attention of researchers and scientists, as they indicate unique atmospheric conditions.

It is worth noting that in March of this year, after the rotation of annual teams, the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition began its work at the Akademik Vernadsky station. This expedition aims not only to study marine life but also to investigate climate changes in Antarctica, which is extremely important for understanding global ecological processes.

The encounter with the humpback whales became a bright moment for the Ukrainian polar researchers, who continue their work in the harsh Antarctic climate. They are actively engaged in research that could help preserve marine ecosystems and study the impact of climate change on these unique biosystems.

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