In 2022, a single photo taken off the coast of Zanzibar changed what we know about whale migration. The image — a clear shot of a humpback whale’s fluke — was uploaded to Happywhale, a global photo-identification platform powered by artificial intelligence. What happened next was unprecedented.
The whale in the photo was matched to another sighting, not just in a different country, but across the world — in the Gulf of Tribugá, Colombia, taken years prior. That single match revealed one of the longest confirmed migrations of a humpback whale ever recorded, covering at least 18,000 km and bridging two oceans.
This is the power of Happywhale. And this is why BCSS is proud to be part of it.
Happywhale x BCSS: A Collaboration That Connects Continents
The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) partnered with Happywhale in 2023, building on shared values: science that’s open, collaborative, and made stronger by public participation.
Through this partnership, BCSS contributes fluke photos of humpback whales sighted in the Mozambique Channel, particularly around the Bazaruto Archipelago. These images — taken by researchers, divers, and visiting students — are uploaded to Happywhale’s global database, where AI software searches for potential matches.
The Colombia–Zanzibar match wasn’t just remarkable because of the distance. It proved that long-term science-generated data, when paired with scientific rigor and smart technology, can uncover entirely new insights about marine megafauna.
(Kalashnikova et al., 2024.)
A Whale’s 13-Year Journey: From St Lucia, South Africa to Bazaruto, Mozambique
A whale first spotted in 2009 off St. Lucia, South Africa, was photographed again 13 years later by BCSS researchers off Bazaruto. This individual—now part of the Happywhale catalogue—remains unnamed. Through our “Name the Whale” campaign, individuals and organisations can sponsor a whale, supporting ongoing conservation, data collection, and student outreach in Mozambique.
This humpback whale was first photographed off South Africa in 2009. In 2022, BCSS documented the whale again in Bazaruto—a powerful testament to the value of long-term photo-ID and collaboration through Happywhale.
The Role of BCSS in Whale Monitoring
BCSS, located on Benguerra Island in Mozambique, hosts the first permanent Ocean Observatory in Africa focused on multi-ecosystem time series research. Whale sightings are a core part of its seasonal monitoring activities during the migration season in the Mozambique Channel.
Researchers and citizen scientists at BCSS contribute to:
- Monitoring whale presence and behaviors
- Photographing whale flukes and dorsal fins
- Uploading sightings to Happywhale
- Educating visitors and communities on ethical whale-watching and conservation
This partnership allows data from the Western Indian Ocean to be seamlessly integrated into global tracking efforts, enhancing the scope and impact of marine conservation science.
Citizen Science in Action: How You Can Help
This is the heart of the story: you don’t need to be a scientist to make a scientific impact.
If you’re traveling, sailing, diving, or even just photographing wildlife from shore, you can help:
- Capture clear photos of humpback whale flukes or dorsal fins.
- Note the location and date of your sighting.
- Upload to Happywhale.com — the platform does the rest.
You’ll receive updates if your photo results in a match, and your contribution will join a global database helping track individual whales across the planet. A single photo might lead to a discovery that spans oceans.
The Mozambique Channel: A Migratory Hotspot
The Mozambique Channel is increasingly recognized as a critical migration corridor for humpback whales, particularly between June and October.
- BCSS researchers observe annual patterns of whale behavior, including breaching, competitive groups, and resting mothers with calves.
- These observations — paired with photographic records — help map whale residency, habitat use, and timing.
- The region’s relatively low human disturbance makes it a valuable site for long-term monitoring and conservation efforts.
With every migration season, the data grows — and so does our understanding.
Why This Matters
- Mozambique’s coast is a critical stopover for migrating humpback whales.
- At BCSS, our research vessels and team are on the water throughout the season, collecting photo-ID data to better understand these long-distance travelers.
- Our logistics support full-scale cetacean surveys—photo-ID, acoustic monitoring, and behavioral observations—off the Bazaruto Archipelago.
- Every photo adds to our collective understanding of whale migration across ocean basins.
This is science that invites participation. And it starts with a camera, a sighting, and a willingness to get involved.
Join the Journey
Whether you’re a diver, a sailor, or simply a lover of the ocean — you can help us track and protect these gentle giants.
More Information
For questions about this article, please contact:
Bazaruto Archipelago – Ocean Observatory
Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies
📧 ekaterina.kalashnikova@bcssmz.org
To get in touch and collaborate with our research center:
🔗 Logistical Support & Consultancy
To learn more about our scientific training program:
🔗 BCSS Scientific Training Program
About BCSS
The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) is the first permanent Ocean Observatory focused on multi-ecosystem time series research in Africa. Established in 2017 as a non-profit, independent research institution, BCSS operates from Benguerra Island and is committed to the long-term protection of the Bazaruto Archipelago whales and marine biodiversity in the region.
