A young humpback whale with a significant wound near its dorsal fin has been identified as the whale that was hit by a high-speed ferry near Vancouver. Sara Jenkins, a naturalist from Wild Whales Vancouver, spotted the injured calf along with its mother on Monday and captured photographs showing the deep gash near the calf’s dorsal fin.
The incident of the high-speed ferry striking a humpback whale occurred in English Bay near Vancouver on October 17. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) confirmed that the injured whale is the calf of BCX1193 Zig Zag.
Julia Adelsheim, another naturalist, had photographed Zig Zag and her calf the day before the collision on October 16. Adelsheim expressed that it would have been highly coincidental for it not to be the same whale that was hit, given the proximity of the injured calf to where the vessel strike took place.
Both Jenkins’ and Adelsheim’s photos were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association on social media. The DFO reported that Hullo Ferries, the operator of the vessel involved, informed the department about the collision, and the whale was seen swimming north after the impact.
Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society mentioned the uncertainty of the calf’s survival due to unknown internal injuries and the whale’s fitness. She emphasized the importance of understanding humpback behavior and the need for increased vigilance to prevent vessel strikes in the area where these whales have been feeding.
Zig Zag’s calf, known as Skipper, is estimated to have been born recently, and calves typically stay with their mothers for the first year. The history of injuries to Zig Zag’s calves highlights the risks they face from vessel collisions, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts.
It remains to be seen how well Zig Zag’s injured calf will recover, with hopes that it will overcome the challenges it now faces. The incident serves as a reminder of the threats faced by marine wildlife and the ongoing efforts needed to protect these majestic creatures.