Whale calf hit by speedboat: Drone captures viral moment – See video
A young whale off the southern coast of New South Wales was recently involved in a boat strike, occurring just weeks after its mother was similarly injured by another vessel.Footage capturing the event reveals a small craft colliding with a southern right whale calf swimming close to its mother near Stanwell Park.The force of the impact caused the three people on board the boat to lose their balance and fall.Immediately after the incident, the calf was seen descending deeper into the ocean, seeking refuge beside its mother, as reported by abc.net.Michael Hatte, who recorded the encounter, mentioned that he and his wife were watching the whales via drone, maintaining the mandated 100-meter distance.“I was absolutely shocked, I froze,” he said. The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans (ORRCA), NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Right Whale Identification program have been monitoring the mother and calf as they travel northward.Mr Hatte continued to observe the calf for approximately five minutes after the event and reported that it seemed unharmed.“The calf seemed fine. It didn’t show signs of stress,” he said.“It went back beneath mum and was playing with seaweed again on the surface, so it looked totally unscathed.”A spokesperson from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service described the video as “alarming,” highlighting that only a few calves are born annually in NSW waters.“This is the only mother and calf pair known in NSW waters so far this season,” they stated.“Boaties must keep an active look out to avoid this happening again during the whale season”.The agency said it was coordinating with ORRCA to closely monitor the pair.“Mum appears to have a previous injury to her flank and we are unsure of the impact of the recent collision,” the spokesperson added.“We are asking all Sydneysiders to please take care on the water and give this precious pair space.”The ABC has reached out to NSW Maritime for a response.ORRCA representative Pip Jacobs reported the whales were observed breaching just south of Sydney Harbour yesterday.“Vessel strikes can be fatal … but we’re pleased to confirm that mum and baby seem to be doing well,” she said.Southern right whales are listed as endangered.Between 250 and 300 individuals have been recorded along the east coast, with larger groups found on the west coast.The calf’s mother suffered injuries from a boat strike near Merimbula in July.Earlier this year, a humpback whale calf is believed to have died following a vessel collision near Coffs Harbour.Ms Jacobs explained that these whales are vulnerable to boat strikes because they frequent shallow waters and lack dorsal fins.“These whales are particularly difficult to spot from the water, so they’re often in the way of boats who don’t know they’re there,” she said.“We know no-one wants to hit a whale.”Ms Jacobs advised boat operators that southern right whales are commonly seen off the coast until the end of August, with humpback migrations continuing through November.Vessels must keep a distance of 100 meters from adults and 300 meters from calves.Drones are required to maintain a minimum altitude of 100 meters.Ms Jacobs said the pair appeared to have recovered from their difficulties.“This pair has faced extraordinary challenges on their journey so far, but they appear to be doing well, which is not only great news for them but their species as well,” she said.
