The Brazilian seaside city of Rio de Janeiro is known for its famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, but every July, another attraction draws attention: whales. They bring in both tourists and researchers.

State of Rio de Janeiro

Humpback whales migrate annually from polar regions to the warmer waters off Rio de Janeiro, where they become a seasonal attraction for both tourists and researchers. Local non-government organisation Favela Radical recently organised its first whale-watching expedition for children, aiming to promote environmental education, emotional development, and social inclusion through direct experiences with nature.

Marine biologists note that the presence of these whales encourages public interest in their protection. Once listed as endangered in the 1980s, humpback whale populations have rebounded due to bans on commercial hunting and are now classified as 'least concern' by the IUCN. The whale-watching season in Rio runs from June to November, offering opportunities for education and conservation.

Whales make waves in Rio de Janeiro

Humpback whales are the acrobats of the ocean. Each year, these extraordinary sea giants travel thousands of kilometres, moving from polar waters, where they feed in summer, down to their birthing grounds in more temperate climates, such as here in Rio de Janeiro, where this group of children is witnessing them for the first time. Before, I was really afraid that it would fly at me and swallow me. But now I've seen it up close. I lost a bit of that fear. The expedition is organised by Favela Radical, a non-government organisation that supports young people in the local community. This is their first whale-watching trip. The aim is to promote environmental education, emotional development and social inclusion through immersion in nature. For the organisation's founder, it is also personal. For the first time, I'm also able to bring my daughter to experience this moment with me. I believe it will be a moment that creates a very strong, lasting emotional memory for the both of us. Every year, these cetaceans make waves off Rio's coast between June and November, attracting onlookers, which marine biologists say promotes the protection of the species. It's even more special when we meet children during the expedition because they are more sensitive to the knowledge being shared. In the 1980s, humpback whales were listed as endangered, but thanks to commercial hunting bans, their populations have recovered and they are now listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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