A humpback calf with a deep gash near its dorsal fin has been identified as the whale struck by a high-speed ferry off Vancouver.
Naturalist Sara Jenkins with Wild Whales Vancouver spotted a humpback whale and the injured calf on Monday.
Photographs she captured show a large gash near the calf’s dorsal fin.
A high-speed ferry struck a humpback whale near Vancouver in English Bay a few days earlier on Oct. 17.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) confirmed to CBC News that the injured animal has been identified as the calf of BCX1193 Zig Zag.
“Given the seriousness of the injury, it will be important to monitor the animal’s healing progress,” a DFO spokesperson said.
Naturalist Julia Adelsheim also photographed Zig Zag and her calf off Vancouver the day before the whale strike on Oct. 16.
“It would have been, like, a lot of pretty big coincidences for it to have not been the whale that was hit,” Adelsheim said.
The injured calf was photographed only a few kilometres from where the vessel strike occurred.
“This whale did not have that a few days before, so, I guess that’s kind of the best confirmation we can give,” Adelsheim said.
Jenkins’ and Adelsheim’s photos were shared by the Pacific Whale Watch Association in a social media post.
DFO said in a written statement after the incident that Hullo Ferries informed the department of the collision, and the whale was observed swimming north after the contact.
Vancouver Island Ferry Company, which operates Hullo Ferries, said in a statement that its vessel Spuhels “likely made contact with a whale” during a scheduled sailing.
“Upon sighting the mammal, the bridge team immediately initiated evasive action and executed a crash stop maneuver in accordance with safety procedures,” the statement reads.
Jackie Hildering with the Marine Education and Research Society said it’s difficult to know if the calf can survive.
“We don’t know what the internal injuries are, we don’t know what the fitness of the whale is,” Hildering said.
She said there is much that can be done to prevent whales from being struck by vessels.
“Understanding humpback behaviour, the education, can make such a difference,” Hildering said. “They travel unpredictably; they are not going mindlessly up and down the coast.”
These humpback whales have been feeding in the area for a while, she adds.
“Increased vigilance is absolutely required,” Hildering said.
Humpback whale found dead after possible collision with B.C. Ferries ship
DFO said the Pacific Whale Watch Association has been a valuable partner, providing sighting information from members during this important timeframe.
According to Hildering, Zig Zag’s calf from 2021 was also struck by a vessel last year, and her first calf from 2019 has entanglement injuries. Of her four calves, three have been injured, and one is potentially missing.
“It’s unfortunate for everyone involved,” said Adelsheim. “Hopefully the calf will be strong enough and make it through. There are whales that come up to the Salish Sea that have had pretty serious injuries and are still alive.”
Zig Zag’s calf, nicknamed Skipper, was likely born this winter and calves often stay with their mother for the first year.
“So often whales, when they die, will just sink to the bottom of the ocean; they disappear with their stories and their realities,” Hildering said. “This horrible scarring on this calf, hopefully people care.”
