Update - Has anyone seen this whale
Posted by Responsible-Hold-869@reddit | whales | View on Reddit | 17 comments
I sent the pictures to HappyWhale.com and they came back and said that this humpback whale isn’t in their database. They said they’ll let me know if it’s spotted again.
I found more photos of the whale too, these clear up the tail or fin debate. Also, it was 2014 took the pictures, not 2015 as I had originally said.
Original post below
“I was just wondering if anyone else has seen this humpback whale or if it’s been tracked anywhere.
I saw it when I was on a whale watching tour off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia in August 2014.
I’ve always wondered about it as the tail looks deformed, hopefully it’s still out there doing what whales do.”
Thanks to everyone who replied to the original post.
hectornabet@reddit
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKIeF2oB3xq/?igsh=MWZnMHVxa2JxcHlvMg==
Seen in Mexico this year, go and follow Dan Taylor on instagram, there is the link.
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
That’s amazing, thank you for sending that on.
I wonder if it’s the same whale. Do they have migration routes that would take it from Western Australia to Mexico?
RollforHobby@reddit
Not an expert at all, but comparing the flukes of these two whales, it doesn’t look like the same one to me. The sort of twist angle of the two halves of the tail seem different and the markings are different. Seems like a super rare malformation though, so I’m hesitant to say for certain it’s not the same whale. Amazing that it’s able to survive honestly…that’s gotta make it hard to swim forward very fast or efficiently.
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
I was thinking that myself. I read the comments on the video and people were saying it was a whale named Taco who has a tail like that. The tour operator that took the photo said it’s a different whale and not the one named Taco he had different markings
There’s obviously a few whales out there with similar tail flutes.
I’ve emailed the tour operator in Australia who I did the tour with to see if they have any more info. 🤞🏻
Whal3r@reddit
Impossible for it to be the same whale. Whales go to the same breeding grounds their whole lives, both Australia and Mexico are breeding grounds for humpbacks, it’s just too unlikely that a whale would go to Australia one year and then Mexico another..
Also I’ve seen several whales with flukes similar to this. Most likely caused by entanglement in fishing gear. While this whale isn’t quite the same or as extreme as the one you posted, her tail was deformed by a previous entanglement. You can see how smooth the edges are and even scars from the entanglement.
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
Thanks for getting back to me, I was thinking the same thing regarding the breeding grounds.
I’m waiting to hear back from the tour operator in Australia, hopefully they’ll have some information about this whale.
Whal3r@reddit
cuttIefishies@reddit
Wow, what a find! I did not think the fluke remained fully stiff, what a resilient Taco.
Pewpew-OuttaMyWaay@reddit
It’s peeps like u that make Reddit for me
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
Me too 🙌🏻
ladymorgahnna@reddit
Yay!
Witty_Wolf8633@reddit
I live in Indiana.sooo… no
Powerful_Feedback190@reddit
Thank you for the update! I hope we find your special whale. :)
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
No problem at all, I’m going to try the company I did the trip with. I’ll send on another update if they have a record of it on file 🤞🏻
Global-Painting6154@reddit
whale watching company on western Australia - mentions having catalogue of humpback whale flukes
this one goes to the researchers...maybe worth a try? I think they are linked to happywhale
I'm searching for you too. I've been trying ID catalogues from different places in Australia. Not sure if the whale is based in Australia or just traveled there.
Responsible-Hold-869@reddit (OP)
Thanks for sending that on. I found the details off the company I did the boat trip with so I’m going to try them as well.
Hopefully they might have a record of this whale.
Global-Painting6154@reddit
I hope so! I will be following for updates!