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Sightings of humpback whales surge in Rio de Janeiro, fueling demand for whale-watching trips
By Diarlei Rodrigues And Eléonore Hughes, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro’s coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration.The species' population has jumped f...
Key takeaway The species' population has jumped from around 2,000 to around 35,000 in approximately 40 years, close to their population before whaling, said Enrico Marcovaldi, co-founder of the Humpback Whale Project.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The surge in humpback whale sightings off Rio de Janeiro's coast has significant implications for San Antonio residents who travel to Brazil. As the demand for whale-watching excursions grows, local travel agencies and tour operators in San Antonio may see an increase in inquiries about trips to Rio de Janeiro, particularly during the whales' annual migration from June to November. This could lead to new business opportunities for San Antonio companies that specialize in eco-tourism and wildlife expeditions. Furthermore, the recovery of humpback whale populations may also spark interest in local conservation efforts, potentially inspiring San Antonio residents to support organizations that protect marine wildlife and their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. As the city's residents consider traveling to Brazil to witness the whales' migration, they may also become more aware of the importance of preserving San Antonio's own natural resources and wildlife.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro’s coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration.The species' population has jumped f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Diarlei Rodrigues And Eléonore Hughes, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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