A young humpback whale with a significant wound near its dorsal fin has been confirmed as the whale involved in a collision with a fast ferry near Vancouver. Wildlife enthusiast Sara Jenkins from Wild Whales Vancouver first spotted the injured calf, capturing images showing a prominent gash in the area of its dorsal fin. The incident, where a high-speed ferry struck a humpback whale in English Bay, took place on October 17.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has verified that the injured animal is the calf of BCX1193 Zig Zag. A spokesperson from DFO emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the healing progress of the wounded calf due to the severity of the injury. Prior to the collision, naturalist Julia Adelsheim had photographed Zig Zag and her calf on October 16, a day before the whale was struck.
Adelsheim expressed that it was highly unlikely for the injured calf to be any other whale besides the one hit by the ferry, considering the proximity of the sighting to the vessel strike location. Photos taken by Jenkins and Adelsheim were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association on social media. The incident was reported to DFO by Hullo Ferries, the company operating the vessel that made contact with the whale.
Marine expert Jackie Hildering raised concerns about the calf’s chances of survival, noting the uncertainty surrounding its internal injuries and overall fitness. Hildering stressed the importance of understanding humpback behavior and implementing educational measures to prevent future vessel strikes, especially since these humpback whales have been frequenting the area for some time. Increased vigilance and awareness are crucial to safeguarding marine wildlife from such incidents.
Zig Zag’s calf, known as Skipper, was likely born in the recent winter season and typically remains with its mother for the first year. Hildering expressed hope that people would empathize with the plight of the injured calf and underscored the significance of marine conservation efforts in protecting these majestic creatures.
