Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, have returned to a part of the Indian Ocean where they were once decimated by whaling. Researchers and filmmakers captured footage of the whales in 2020 and 2021, revealing their presence in the region for extended periods. This suggests potential breeding activity in the Seychelles. This is considered a "conservation win" following the devastating impact of whaling in the 1960s. The findings underscore the positive impact of conservation efforts, showcasing the potential for the recovery of animal populations. The study, published in the Journal of Endangered Species Research, utilized a "sound trap" on the seabed to monitor the whales' acoustic activity.Conservation scientists emphasize the importance of protecting these areas from noise pollution. They consider the Seychelles to be a potentially quiet and safe haven for blue whales. "There's not a tremendous amount of ship traffic in Seychelles so perhaps we could think of it as a nice, quiet, safe place for blue whales", said Dr. Stafford from the University of Seychelles.