Humpback whale ‘Poptart’ returns to Salish Sea with new baby | 24CA News
Delighted whale watchers have noticed a trio of new child humpback whale calves within the Salish Sea.
The moms and infants are the primary ones reported within the 2023 whale-watching season as humpbacks return to native waters from their winter breeding grounds close to Hawaii or Mexico.
“There are three that we can confirm, and we’ll probably hear of several more throughout the year,” stated Erin Gless with the Pacific Whale Watch Association.
Popular Humpback BCY1404 is the one first-time mom among the many three, in accordance with Gless. BCY1404 can also be identified by the nickname “Poptart,” given to her by whale watchers for the way in which she would breach out of the water like a pop tart springing from a toaster.
“I first watched Poptart in 2016 when she was a newborn calf with her mom Big Momma. And now, finally, we get to see her come back with a calf of her own,” stated Gless.
According to group scientist whale trackers, Poptart and fellow new mother BCY0523 have been noticed with potential calves off Maui earlier this spring. BCX1675, the third mom noticed with a calf, was reported off Isla Socorro, Mexico, over the winter.
Baby humpbacks seen within the Salish Sea are sometimes born between late December and February, placing the age of the three calves between 4 and 6 months outdated.
Whale watchers and boaters alike should keep a distance of a minimum of 200 metres when viewing child humpbacks, twice the space of what is usually allowed.
“These babies are just discovering their watery world, and so they might not be as aware of vessels or used to being around vessels as their moms,” stated Gless.
Humpbacks sometimes stay within the native waters by late fall, feeding on krill and small fish like herring and candlefish.
Last yr, a report 34 humpback whale calves have been reported all through the Salish Sea by researchers with the Canadian Pacific Humpback Collaboration.
The Salish Sea encompasses the waters off the southern coast of B.C., spanning an space from Desolation Sound within the north to Puget Sound in Washington state within the south.
