Right Whale Roundup – Georgia Wildlife Blog

Before we close out the calving season for North Atlantic right whales, here’s a quick look at a few items of interest.

First, the heart-warming. Black Heart, catalog No. 3540, and her calf are making their way north. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute plane survey contracted by Georgia DNR spotted the pair about 16 nautical miles off Bear Branch, S.C., on Feb. 22. The picture below captured the calf nuzzling mom.

It’s OK to say what you’re thinking: awwwww.

Black Heart and calf off South Carolina Feb. 22. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute/NOAA permit 26919)

More good news. The comeback trip for two adult females that swam into the Gulf as far west as the Florida Panhandle continues. Koala and Curfew, catalog Nos. 3940 and 4190, were last reported off St. Petersburg, Fla.. Here’s hoping for their safe return to the East Coast.

The status of whales entangled in commercial fishing gear is a mixed bag. Entanglement is one of the two main causes of right whale deaths and injuries. The other leading threat is vessel strikes.

Two whales spotted entangled in Canadian waters last year — Chiminea and Neptune, Nos. 4040 and 3301 — were documented gear-free in December and January, respectively. Also, last month in Cape Cod Bay, right whale No. 4120 was seen without the heavy fishing rope she was dragging on Dec. 9.

The news of whales shedding fishing gear is welcomed. But it comes with a caution: NOAA says the lingering impacts of entanglement on the health of these three whales is unknown. And entanglements often end badly.

The watch is still on for another right whale seen entangled on Dec. 9. No. 5110, a male, had a thick line across his head and back. NOAA rated that entanglement a “serious injury.” Translation: No. 5110 will likely die from the injuries. He hasn’t been seen since.

Last, a 17-year-old whale nicknamed Zigzag was photographed breaching (photo at top) about 44 nautical miles off the coast of Kure Beach, N.C., on Feb. 1.

Was right whale No. 3821 mugging for the camera?

Well, no, but why whales breach is unknown. Ideas vary from communicating with other whales (big splash, big sound) to dislodging parasites and even playing.

Platypus and calf off Ormond Beach, Fla., Feb. 23 (Marineland Right Whale Project/Zoe Rauscher/NOAA permit 26562)

Oh, and here’s a PS on Platypus. How did right whale No. 3420, this season’s 10th mom, get her name? From part of her callosity — the raised, light-colored, cyamid-infested tissue on her head — that is shaped somewhat like Australia’s duck-billed, beaver-tailed mammal.

Coming next week: Georgia DNR’s review of the 2024-2025 calving season.

Video or images of right whales used by media or other outlets must include the credit and NOAA permit information. It is illegal to approach right whales in U.S. waters without a research permit. Other vessels, aircraft and drones must maintain a distance of at least 500 yards from these endangered whales. Researchers involved have the training and permits required to approach right whales safely and legally.