World Whale Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday in February. In 2024, it falls on February 18th.
World Whale Day (Balaena) was founded in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii by Greg Kaufman to honor humpback whales that migrate along the Hawaiian coast.
It aims to raise awareness of whales, their importance to marine ecosystems, and the conservation threats they face such as climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and whaling.
Events include whale parades, festivals, fundraisers, beach cleanups, whale watches, educational activities, and film screenings. Major events happen annually in Hawaii.
What day is World Whale Day 2024
World Whale Day in 2024 will be celebrated on February 18th, which falls on the third Sunday of February that year.
People are encouraged to participate by learning about whales, talking about conservation, attending events, holding fundraisers, sharing information on social media, making eco-friendly choices to help protect whale habitats, volunteering, and donating to whale conservation groups.
All whales species are celebrated on this day, including larger whales like humpbacks, blues, fins, and sperm whales, as well as smaller whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Many events focus on local species.
Quotes
“The whales of the world must be seen as more than just whales. They are the indicators of the health of our oceans.” – Peter Stack, Greenpeace Campaigner
“Unless we act decisively today, we will wake up tomorrow finding that the magnificent creatures that once lived on earth, no longer do.” – Elton John
“The time to act is now. It’s not right whales, it’s the right thing to do.” – Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then whales are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot
“It should be the role of mankind to protect and preserve all members of the natural world, not just the cute ones.” – Joel Sartore
“The whale is endowed with such prodigious strength that it defies all efforts on the part of man to capture or ensnare it.” – Jules Verne
“The oceans need our help. Let us remember this simple truth: the health of our oceans equals the future of humankind.” – Nicolas Hulot
“The time to save the planet is now. It starts with you and me.” – Dr. David Suzuki
These quotes highlight the importance of protecting whales and taking action to preserve these amazing creatures and our oceans. They inspire us to make a difference for World Whale Day and every day.
Tickets
Here is clear information about purchasing tickets specifically for World Whale Day 2024 events.
A film screening at the New Bedford Whaling Museum on Feb 18, 2024, with $10 general admission tickets or $5 member tickets.
Possible aquarium visits on or around the Day that would require standard aquarium admission tickets.
However, there are no details on 2024 World Whales Day event tickets available for purchase yet. The sources mostly reference 2023 events or general background on how World Whale Day is celebrated.
Many events like parades, festivals, talks, etc. seem to be free and open to the public. But some specific events may sell tickets.
If interested in attending a 2024 event, the best approach would likely be to check back with the event organizers closer to February 2024 to see if they are selling tickets for any specific World Whale Day happenings.
Schedule
Typical World Whale Day events, based on past years, include whale parades, festivals, fundraisers, beach cleanups, whale watches, educational talks and activities, art displays, film screenings, etc.
Major annual celebrations often take place in whale migration hotspots like Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, South Africa, and more. But events happen globally.
Some specific 2024 events mentioned are a film screening on Feb 18th at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, USA which will have tickets available closer to the date, and possible aquarium events that may require standard admission tickets.
Full details and schedules for 2024 events do not seem available yet. The best advice would likely be to check with local event organizers in late 2023 or early 2024 for updated schedules and details on any happenings in your area for next year’s Whale Day on February 18th.
Activities
Here are some of the key activities that may occur for World Whale Day 2024.
In 2024 will likely involve a variety of educational, awareness-building, fundraising, and entertainment events globally – focused especially on appreciating whales and promoting actions to help protect them.
Whale-themed parades, festivals, and family events with music, costumes, floats, etc. A major parade and festival happens annually in Maui, Hawaii where World Whale Day originated.
Fundraising walks/runs, film festivals, art displays, educational talks, workshops to raise awareness about threats to whales.
Visiting aquariums that may have special Whale Day events and learning opportunities about marine life.
Whale watching trips offered by responsible tour companies to see whales in their natural habitat while following ethical guidelines.
Conservation efforts like beach cleanups, recycling, using less plastic to protect whale ecosystems.
Spreading awareness on social media using the hashtag #WorldWhaleDay and supporting whale conservation organizations.
Contacting government representatives to advocate for stronger legal protections for whales.
What Is the History Behind World Whale Day
World Whale Day was founded in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii by Greg Kaufman, the founder of the Pacific Whale Foundation, to honor the humpback whales that migrate along the Hawaiian coast.
It was started to raise awareness about the threat of extinction faced by humpback whales due to commercial whaling. The original intent was to celebrate these whales that would swim off Hawaii’s shores each winter to mate and give birth.
How Is World Whale Day Celebrated
Events held around the world include whale parades, festivals, fundraisers, beach cleanups, whale watches, educational activities, art displays, talks by experts, workshops, kids activities, and film screenings.
Major annual events happen in whale migration hotspots like Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, South Africa, the UK, etc. Activities center around appreciating whales and learning about the need to protect them.
People also celebrate more informally by making donations to conservation groups, reducing plastic use, applying political pressure to end commercial whaling, making responsible whale watching choices, and spreading awareness on social media using #WorldWhaleDay.
How many humpback whales are left in the world
The current global population estimate for humpback whales is around 135,000, with about 84,000 mature individuals.
This comes from the IUCN Red List assessment which listed the status of humpbacks as “least concern.”
Regional populations estimates are provided as well, such as 13,000 whales in the North Atlantic and 21,000 whales in the North Pacific.
Along Australia’s east coast, there are over 40,000 humpback whales migrating and the population there is reaching record highs after near extinction from whaling.
Interesting Facts About Whale
- The blue whale is the largest animal on earth, even larger than dinosaurs. They can grow to over 100 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons. Their hearts are the size of a small car.
- Whales are mammals, not fish. They breathe air through blowholes on top of their heads. They give birth to live young which they feed with milk.
- Whales have unique asymmetric skulls with one nostril on top of the head and two blowholes. This allows them to breathe at the surface while most of their body is underwater.
- Many whales migrate long distances each year. For example, gray whales migrate over 10,000 miles between their feeding grounds in the Arctic to breeding grounds in Mexico.
- Whales communicate with complex sounds called whale song. The lyrics and patterns are unique to each whale species and not fully understood by humans.
- The sperm whale has the largest brain on earth, weighing up to 20 pounds. Their elaborate brains may be adapted for echolocation and deep diving.
- Killer whales (orcas) are technically in the dolphin family. They are highly intelligent apex predators that hunt in packs. Different groups have unique communication and hunting techniques.
- Beluga whales in the Arctic can mimic human speech, make chirps, clicks, whistles and many other vocalizations. They are sometimes called “canaries of the sea.”
- Many whales exhibit complex social bonds, living and communicating in pods or groups that include mothers, calves, and extended family members.
Leave a Reply