A young humpback whale with a significant wound near its back fin has been recognized as the whale involved in a collision with a high-speed ferry in the vicinity of Vancouver. Naturalist Sara Jenkins from Wild Whales Vancouver came across the injured calf along with its mother on Monday, capturing images showing a notable gash near the calf’s back fin. The incident occurred on October 17 when a high-speed ferry collided with a humpback whale in English Bay near Vancouver.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has confirmed that the injured whale is the offspring of BCX1193 Zig Zag. The severity of the injury necessitates close monitoring of the calf’s recovery progress, as stated by a DFO representative. Naturalist Julia Adelsheim had photographed Zig Zag and her calf the day before the collision on October 16, emphasizing the unlikelihood of the injured calf being any other whale.
Photographs taken by Jenkins and Adelsheim were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association on social media. The DFO revealed that Hullo Ferries reported the collision and witnessed the whale swimming north after the incident. Vancouver Island Ferry Company, operating Hullo Ferries, acknowledged the likelihood of their vessel, Spuhels, making contact with a whale during a routine sailing.
Marine Education and Research Society representative, Jackie Hildering, expressed uncertainty about the calf’s survival due to unknown internal injuries and the whale’s overall health. She emphasized the importance of understanding humpback behavior to prevent vessel collisions, especially since these whales have been present in the area for some time. Hildering stressed the need for increased vigilance to safeguard marine wildlife from such accidents.
The calf, known as Skipper, is believed to have been born recently and typically remains with its mother for the first year. Despite the challenges, there is hope for the calf’s recovery, with Adelsheim expressing optimism and highlighting the resilience of injured whales that continue to survive despite significant injuries.