THIS humpback whale calf spotted in Flinders Bay, off Augusta, last week is thriving, despite initial concerns for its health.
Whale watching and ecotours business Naturaliste Charters were keeping an eye on the newborn last week when they saw its mother carrying it on her back and pushing it to the surface to help it breathe. The mother and calf were surrounded by a protective pod of whales.
There were initial concerns for the calf because it was born so early in the season and so far south, but it appears to be doing well.
Naturaliste Charters owner/operator Paul Cross, said they spotted the calf between 2 and 4pm on Monday last week, but could not go out again on Tuesday due to bad weather.
They went out again on Wednesday with the aim of checking on it, taking a few photographs and then leaving it alone.
“It’s very young and vulnerable,” Paul said.
Happily, on Friday they saw the small whale breaching for the first time, “having lots of fun”, Paul said.
“It looks like a dolphin, it’s so small,” he said.
The Department of Environment and Conservation is also monitoring the mother and calf, which is still being protected by the pod.
Paul said the mother was feeding the calf 250 litres of milk a day, and it was putting on about 30kg a day.
Whales rest up in Flinders Bay on their annual migration north but usually give birth in warmer waters off the North West coast.
Mothers and calves stop off again later in the year on their return to antarctic feeding grounds.
