A humpback calf with a significant wound near its dorsal fin has been confirmed as the whale that was hit by a high-speed ferry near Vancouver. Sara Jenkins, a naturalist with Wild Whales Vancouver, discovered the injured calf alongside a humpback whale on Monday. Detailed photographs taken by Jenkins show a large gash near the calf’s dorsal fin.
The incident occurred in English Bay on October 17 when a high-speed ferry collided with a humpback whale. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has verified that the injured calf is the offspring of BCX1193 Zig Zag. A DFO spokesperson emphasized the importance of monitoring the calf’s healing progress due to the severity of the injury.
Julia Adelsheim, another naturalist, had photographed Zig Zag and her calf a day before the whale strike on October 16, showcasing the calf unharmed. Adelsheim expressed that it was highly unlikely for it not to be the same whale that was hit, given the proximity and timing of the events. The injured calf was spotted only a few kilometers away from where the vessel strike took place.
Both Jenkins’ and Adelsheim’s photographs were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association on social media. The Vancouver Island Ferry Company, operating the Hullo Ferries, acknowledged that their vessel, Spuhels, likely made contact with the whale during a scheduled sailing. They reported that immediate evasive action was taken upon sighting the mammal.
Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the calf’s survival prospects, citing unknown internal injuries and the whale’s overall fitness. She emphasized the importance of understanding humpback behavior and the necessity of increased vigilance to prevent vessel strikes, especially since these humpback whales have been feeding in the area for some time.
The DFO commended the Pacific Whale Watch Association for their collaboration in providing crucial sighting information during this critical period. Hildering revealed that Zig Zag’s calf from 2021 and her first calf from 2019 have also suffered injuries from vessel strikes and entanglements, respectively. The calf, nicknamed Skipper, born this winter, is likely to stay with its mother for the first year. Hildering urged people to empathize with the calf’s plight, emphasizing the importance of caring for these majestic creatures.