Current:Home > InvestPhotographs capture humpback whale’s Seattle visit, breaching in waters in front of Space Needle-LoTradeCoin
Photographs capture humpback whale’s Seattle visit, breaching in waters in front of Space Needle
View Date:2024-12-23 15:43:15
Seattle (AP) — Pictures released by a conservation group show a young humpback whale breaching in front of the Space Needle as it visited the waters off Seattle last week, capturing a rare display of wildlife next to a major city.
The photos were also used to gauge the general health of the whale and create a serial identification number that will help researchers keep track of the young marine mammal.
This young whale, which is estimated to be about two years old, now has the designation of CRC-20899, according to Cascadia Research Collective.
The photos were taken by Jeff Hogan, co-coordinator of the Seattle-branch of Soundwatch Boater Education Program. Hogan shadowed the whale for most of its time in the bay to alert other vessels to it. Hogan said the whale looked healthy and watched it breach nearly 30 times.
Soundwatch has been operating off the San Juan Islands, where orcas are commonly found, for more than 30 years. The Seattle wing of the program debuted this past August with the aim to protect whales in busy Elliott Bay. Program personnel inform vessels of nearby whales so that enough space is given to the giant creatures. On any given day, car and pedestrian ferries, tugboats, private crafts, container ships and other vessels crisscross the bay.
“It not only was a beautiful day and experience, it was a great opportunity to collaborate with all operators out there,” said Alanna Frayne, a coordinator for Soundwatch. “This humpback provided education.”
Local whale watching groups have identified the young humpback as the calf of an adult female with the identification BCY0995, better known as “Smiley.”
Smiley’s last calf, Chip, was fatally struck by a Washington state ferry in 2020, according to the Canadian group Vancouver Island Whale Watch.
As the whale’s population numbers rebound, visits to the Seattle metropolitan area by orcas that prey on mammals and cetacean whales like humpbacks and grays have been increasing.
Humpback whales visit the waters off Seattle as they migrate along the West Coast. Before the commercial whaling industry nearly drove them to extinction, researchers think the Puget Sound was used as a nursery by humpbacks.
The young calf was seen until Friday morning, Frayne said. Soundwatch boat followed it as the whale headed north and away from the city.
veryGood! (9413)
Related
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- Gary Graham, star of 'Star Trek' and 'Alien Nation,' dead at 73 due to cardiac arrest: Reports
- 'He is not a meteorologist': Groundhog Day's Punxsutawney Phil should retire, PETA says
- German train drivers go on strike for 6 days, bringing railway traffic to a near-standstill - again
- Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
- Democrat Dean Phillips vows to continue campaign after losing New Hampshire primary
- Who's on the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot? Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia lead the way
- This grandfather was mistakenly identified as a Sunglass Hut robber by facial recognition software. He's suing after he was sexually assaulted in jail.
- Brian Kelly asks question we're all wondering after Alabama whips LSU, but how to answer?
- 'No evidence of aliens:' U.S.'s former top UFO hunter opens up in podcast interview
Ranking
- 'Unfortunate error': 'Wicked' dolls with porn site on packaging pulled from Target, Amazon
- Bounty hunter sentenced to 10 years in prison for abducting Missouri woman
- US congressional delegation makes first trip to Taiwan after island’s presidential election
- The best spin-off games, books and more to experience before Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- China says it’s working to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea that have upended global trade
- 2024 McDonald's All American Games rosters: Cooper Flagg, Me'Arah O'Neal highlight list
- Daniel Will: AI Wealth Club Guides You on Purchasing Cryptocurrencies.
Recommendation
-
NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
-
Proud Boys member sentenced to 6 years in prison for Capitol riot role after berating judge
-
Daniel Will: I teach you how to quickly understand stock financial reports.
-
Death toll in southwestern China landslide rises to 34 and 10 remain missing
-
Olivia Munn Says She “Barely Knew” John Mulaney When She Got Pregnant With Their Son
-
January's full moon rises Thursday: What to know about the 'wolf moon'
-
New York man convicted of murdering Kaylin Gillis after she mistakenly drove into his driveway
-
Torrential rain, flash flooding sweep through San Diego: Photos capture destruction