Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake extensive seasonal migrations from summer feeding areas in high latitudes to winter mating and calving grounds in tropical waters (Clapham and Mead 1999, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3504352). In the Southern Hemisphere, seven populations are recognized by the International Whaling Commission (IWC).In this study, we report the movements of seven whales satellite-tagged in the Cook Islands, including the first documented migration to an antarctic feeding ground. In September 2006 and 2007 we attached Argos satellite-monitored tags to eight humpback whales of various sex and behavioral classes. All whales were tagged in the nearshore waters of Rarotonga (the largest island in the Cooks group).

Vegetation types classified according to the Swedish vegetation map (Andersson 1981). Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150

Supplement to: Hauser, Nan; Zerbini, Alexandre N; Geyer, Ygor; Heide-Jørgensen, Mads Peter; Clapham, Phil (2010): Movements of satellite-monitored humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, from the Cook Islands. Marine Mammal Science, 26(3), 679-685