Masters Of Migration: 10 Animals That Travel Incredible Distances

Arctic TernArctic terns migrate from Arctic breeding grounds to Antarctica, covering nearly 40,000 kilometres annually. This is the longest migration in the animal kingdom, ensuring continuous daylight during their journey.Bar-Headed GooseThese geese migrate over the Himalayas, flying at altitudes above 7,000 metres. They travel from Central Asia to India, demonstrating extraordinary endurance in low-oxygen, high-altitude conditions.WildebeestAround 1.5 million wildebeests migrate annually across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. This 1,600-kilometre journey follows seasonal rains and grasses, making it one of the world’s most dramatic animal migrations.Monarch ButterflyMonarch butterflies migrate up to 4,800 kilometres from Canada and the United States to Mexico’s oyamel fir forests. This is the only butterfly species known for two-way migration.Humpback WhaleHumpback whales travel up to 8,000 kilometres between polar feeding areas and tropical breeding grounds. Their migration is among the longest of any mammal, involving seasonal journeys across oceans.Caribou (Reindeer)Caribou herds in North America travel up to 5,000 kilometres annually. Their migration is one of the longest among land mammals, driven by seasonal changes and predator avoidance.Olive Ridley TurtleOlive ridley sea turtles undertake mass migrations for nesting, known as arribadas. They return to the same beaches, often in Odisha, India, travelling thousands of kilometres guided by Earth’s magnetic fields.Sockeye SalmonSockeye salmon migrate from the Pacific Ocean to freshwater rivers to spawn. Their journey can cover thousands of kilometres, with individuals swimming upstream against strong currents to reach natal streams.Leatherback TurtleLeatherback sea turtles migrate over 16,000 kilometres across oceans. They travel between tropical nesting beaches and temperate or subpolar feeding areas, feeding mainly on jellyfish during their transoceanic journeys.Dragonflies (Globe Skimmer)The globe skimmer dragonfly makes the longest insect migration, crossing the Indian Ocean. They travel up to 18,000 kilometres in multiple generations, from India and Africa to the Maldives and beyond.10 Animals To Spot In Gir Forest National ParkRead More