The first ever humpback whale to be filmed having sex off the coast of Hawaii was clearly a homosexual encounter.

Two photographers, Lyle Kranichfeld and Brandi Romano, captured this aquatic creature completely by chance off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, in January 2022. They shared the image with marine biologist Stephanie Stack. Pacific Whale Foundation She, along with colleagues Lyle Kranichfeld and Brandi Romano, created the basis for the study, titled “Observations of Sexual Behavior Between Two Male Humpback Whales,” which was published Tuesday. marine mammal science journal.

Photographers in Hawaii captured two male humpback whales having sex, which experts say is the first time the species has been recorded engaging in any sexual activity. That's what it means. https://t.co/SlAYPnOYqn

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 29, 2024

According to , humpback whales are the sixth largest whale on Earth by length. USA Today, at approximately 52 feet. But despite being a relatively abundant and well-studied species, until Kranichfeldt and Romano's chance encounter, there had been no recorded footage of the mammals engaging in direct sexual intercourse.

The larger, healthier male whale appeared to be chasing the emaciated, motionless male, who was clearly infested with lice, the paper said. The paper's authors believe the smaller whale may have been trying to hide behind the photographer's boat. Eventually, the weaker male collapsed and was impaled by the healthier male, “held in place by its pectoral fins.” (Related: Man captures video of whale jumping out of water in extremely rare event)

The encounter, which doesn't sound particularly romantic, is estimated to have lasted about 30 minutes. NBC.

The report also states:[s]Same-sex interactions have been recorded in a wide range of species. ”