'Humpback comeback': Whale researchers say species making dramatic return to B.C. waters
Humpback whales are making a significant comeback in the waters around Vancouver Island and northern Washington state, according to researchers at the Pacific Whale Watch Association.
Calling it a “humpback comeback,” researchers at the agency say the number of humpbacks in the Salish Sea has increased exponentially since a single whale was spotted in the region over 20 years ago.
“Since whale researchers first documented a single humpback whale in 1997, the humpback whales that migrate each summer to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea now number in the hundreds,” the whale watch association said in a statement Tuesday.
The researchers say 2021 is proving no different, with the documented return of famed whale “Big Mama” and three of her calves.
The whale watch association says Big Mama is a “pioneer and significant contributor to this population increase,” giving birth to six calves that have returned to the inland waters of B.C. since 2003.
“When Big Mama arrived in late April 2021, the whale watch community was extremely excited to see her return, as she often marks the beginning of the humpback whale watching season throughout the region,” the association said. “Dozens more humpbacks have arrived since then, and this past week, something happened that had the whale watch and research community abuzz.”
The buzz arose when Big Mama was reportedly spotted on Saturday, feeding alongside three of her calves in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, south of Victoria.
“Humpback whales are not known to have close family ties, leaving their mothers at less than a year old,” the Pacific Whale Watch Association said. “The fact that three siblings were seen in such close proximity to each other has piqued the interest of humpback whale researchers.”
Big Mama was sighted for the first time in 1997 by a skipper with Prince of Whales Whale Watching near Race Rocks, southwest of Victoria. According to researchers, she was the first humpback spotted in the strait in nearly a century.
Since then, more than 500 humpbacks have been documented and cataloged in the Salish Sea, according to the Pacific Whale Watch Association.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.