Calf with deep wounds identified as humpback that struck ferry near Vancouver
A humpback calf has been identified as a whale struck by a speed boat near Vancouver due to a deep wound near its dorsal fin.
Wild Whale Vancouver naturalist Sarah Jenkins spotted a humpback whale and its injured calf on Monday.
The photographs taken by him show a large wound near the calf’s dorsal fin.
A few days earlier, on October 17, a humpback whale was struck by a speed boat near Vancouver in English Bay.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) confirmed to CBC News that the injured animal has been identified as calf BCX1193 Zig Zag.
“Given the severity of the injury, it will be important to monitor the progress of the animal’s treatment,” a DFO spokesperson said.
Naturalist Julia Edelsheim also photographed Zig Zag and her calf in Vancouver on October 16, the day before the whale attack.
“It would have been like many great coincidences if the whales had not collided,” Edelsheim said.
The photo of the injured calf was taken only a few kilometers from the spot where the ship was attacked.
“This whale didn’t have that a few days ago, so, I think this is the best confirmation we can give,” Adelsheim said.
Photos of Jenkins and Adelsheim were shared in a social media post by the Pacific Whale Watch Association.
DFO said in a written statement after the incident that Hullo Ferries reported the collision to the department, and after contact the whale was seen swimming north.
Vancouver Island Ferry Company, which operates the Hullo ferry, said in a statement that its ship Spuhels “possibly contacted a whale” during a scheduled sailing.
“Upon sighting the mammal, the bridge team immediately took action and executed a crash stop maneuver in accordance with safety procedures,” the statement said.
Jackie Hildering of the Marine Education and Research Society said it was difficult to know whether the calf could survive.
“We don’t know what the internal injuries are, we don’t know what the fitness of the whale is,” Hildering said.
He said more could be done to prevent whales from colliding with ships.
“Understanding humpback behavior, education, can make such a difference,” Hildering said. “They travel unpredictably; they’re not going up and down the coast without thinking.”
These humpback whales have been feeding in the area for some time, she adds.
“There is an urgent need to increase vigilance,” Hildering said.
A BC Ferries vessel may have collided with a humpback whale Wednesday night in northern B.C. Researchers found the whale dead in the area where the boat reported it might have made contact.
DFO said the Pacific Whale Watch Association has been a valuable partner, providing sighting information to members during this critical time frame.
According to Hildering, Zig Zag’s 2021 calf was also hit by a ship last year, and her first calf from 2019 suffered injuries in the entanglement. Three of his four calves have been injured, and one is potentially missing.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone involved,” Edelsheim said. “Hopefully the calf will be strong enough and make it through. There are whales that come up to the Salish Sea that have suffered pretty serious injuries and are still alive.”
Zig Zag’s calf, nicknamed Skipper, was probably born this winter and calves often stay with their mothers for the first year.
Hildering said, “Often whales, when they die, sink to the bottom of the ocean; they disappear along with their stories and their realities.” “This terrible wound on this calf, hopefully people will take care of it.”
