Humpback competitive group encounters are among the most dynamic and visually exciting encounters you can have in Tonga and are second only to Heat Runs in their sheer intensity.
At the very center of a competitive group is a female, usually with her calf and an incumbent “escort” male.
The incumbent is basically hanging around providing an additional layer of predator protection for the mother and calf.
All in the hope that the mother will eventually allow him to mate with her…
While the challenger (sometimes more than one), often referred to as secondary escorts, will attempt to displace him from his privileged position with displays of strength, stamina, and aggression.
The incumbent, anxious to maintain his status, positions itself close to the female and tries to maintain a degree of physical contact with her while other males are challenge his position.
Humpback Competitive Group Encounters
The challenger will try to force its presence upon the mother and make the incumbent escort abandon its hoped for liaison with her…
If the challenger is aggressive enough and also stronger than the incumbent escort, there may be a passive changing of the guard and the vanquished escort will retreat in to the blue.
But more likely there will be a competition between the challenger and the incumbent which is when the spectacle really begins as the two contestants battle it out – while the mother tries to stay out of the fray and guard her calf.
The challenger and the incumbent use both brute force and cunning against each other. Often the challenger will try to force the mother and her away from the incumbent in the hope that concern for her calf will make her acquiesce.
The strategic use of a bubble curtain to confuse and disorientate their opponent is particularly fascinating to watch. In the image above the incumbent has swam below the mother and the challenger and blows a bubble curtain at the challenger.
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