A humpback whale calf with a significant wound near its dorsal fin has been confirmed as the whale that was struck by a high-speed ferry in the vicinity of Vancouver. The injured calf, known as the offspring of BCX1193 Zig Zag, was spotted by Naturalist Sara Jenkins from Wild Whales Vancouver. Photographs taken by Jenkins revealed a large gash close to the calf’s dorsal fin.
The incident occurred a few days earlier on October 17 when a high-speed ferry collided with the humpback whale in English Bay near Vancouver. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) verified the identification of the injured calf as belonging to Zig Zag.
Julia Adelsheim, another naturalist, had photographed Zig Zag and her calf the day before the collision. Adelsheim indicated that the proximity of the injured calf to the location of the vessel strike, along with photographic evidence, strongly suggests that it was indeed the whale struck by the ferry.
Jenkins and Adelsheim’s images were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association on social media. The DFO reported that the ferry company involved, Hullo Ferries, promptly informed the department of the collision, and the whale was observed swimming away after the impact.
Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society expressed concerns about the calf’s survival prospects, citing uncertainties regarding internal injuries and the overall health of the whale. Hildering emphasized the importance of understanding humpback behavior to prevent such collisions in the future, especially since these whales frequent the area for feeding.
The calf, given the nickname Skipper, is believed to have been born recently and typically remains with its mother for the first year. Hildering highlighted the significance of the situation, urging heightened vigilance and care to protect these majestic creatures.