Latest news with #SouthernRightWhale
ABC News
21-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Southern Right whale calf hit by boat
An endangered Southern Right Whale calf has been hit by a small boat off the Illawarra Coast weeks after it mother was struck by another vessel. Supplied: Michael Hatte and Orrca
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Yahoo
Spectacular moment off Aussie coast leaves woman's heart racing
A woman's 'once-in-a-lifetime' underwater encounter off Australia's south coast has been captured on camera, but it's a moment she won't soon forget. Christine Watterson and her longtime friend Marlon Quinn ventured out on his boat a couple of weeks ago with the hope of finding 'some clear patches of water to practice freediving' near Cape Conran, a coastal town about 400km east of Melbourne. After discovering 'a nice, quiet spot', the pair plunged themselves into the icy ocean and started doing some 'warm up dives', but what started as a typical day soon turned into a 'rare and humbling experience'. Just moments later, an inquisitive whale approached Christine and Marlon to say hello. '[It] was a huge shock at first because it was a massive animal that just appeared out of nowhere,' she told Yahoo News on Sunday. 'We very quickly realised it was a southern right whale.' Southern right whales are considered endangered in Australian waters. The protected species, which weigh about 80 tonnes, visits the country's southern coast between May and October, migrating to warmer waters for breeding and calving. Aussie divers' hearts race as whale circles for an hour For about an hour, the whale swam in 'big, slow circles' around the pair and the boat, Christine said. 'On several occasions, the whale swam so close to us that we had to move out of its way! It was so gentle and curious, taking its time to check us out. Our hearts were racing the whole time,' she told Yahoo. 'I was feeling pretty nervous but as time progressed, I started to relax. All I could think about was how incredibly privileged we were to share this encounter with such a beautiful animal.' Marlon was able to grab his underwater camera from the boat and managed to snap a couple of spectacular images, one of which shows the whale just metres away from Christine as she swims near the surface. 📸 Rare photos capture incredible whale rescue off Australian coast 🌊 Visitors spot incredible sight in tiny Aussie bay: 'Very special' 🛥️ Tourists and locals 'drop everything' to glimpse rare sight in boat harbour The whale occasionally disappeared for several minutes before suddenly reappearing. 'Eventually, the whale disappeared and didn't return, and we knew that was the end of our encounter. We climbed back on to the boat and we were completely elated!' Christine, who has been freediving and spearfishing along the coastline for almost seven years, said while she and Marlon have both had 'incredible experiences' with wild animals in the ocean before, this one was particularly magical. 'This was probably the most incredible wildlife interaction I have ever had in the ocean!' Earlier this month, swimmers in Queensland's Hervey Bay were left with tears in their eyes after two humpback whales greeted them. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Rare humpback birth in Kaikōura
Humpback mother supporting its new born calf in Kaikōura In a breathtaking display of nature's wonder, Wings Over Whales pilot Sam Hamill and his guests witnessed the remarkable birth of a humpback calf off the coast of Kaikōura. The event at the weekend marked a rare occurrence in this renowned whale-watching location, celebrated for its abundant marine life, particularly sperm whales, throughout the year. 'Kaikōura is a world-renowned area for year-round whale watching, typically of sperm whales,' explained Daniel Stevenson, owner of Wings Over Whales and South Pacific Helicopters. 'However, this time of year, we are on the humpback migration highway as they move from the cool Antarctic waters to New Caledonia to calve.' The calf's premature arrival was a surprise to all involved. Sam Hamill, who observed the birth during a morning flight, described the scene: 'It was a surprise; I had to do a double take. Humpbacks don't typically calve here in Kaikōura. We watched the mother supporting the calf from beneath and helping it along its way, with around a number of Dusky dolphins surrounding them.' While the waters off Kaikōura are known for various whale sightings, such as sperm whales and occasional Southern Right Whales giving birth, seeing a humpback calf born in these cooler waters is exceedingly rare. Historically, documented occurrences of whale births in Kaikōura include a notable humpback birth witnessed by Wings Over Whales pilots three years ago, as well as occasional Southern Right Whale births in the area. This unexpected event underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of marine life in Kaikōura, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity and as a vital corridor for whale migration. Conservationists and marine enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how this young whale's journey progresses in the coming months.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Rare humpback birth in Kaikoura
In a breathtaking display of nature's wonder, Wings Over Whales pilot Sam Hamill and his guests witnessed the remarkable birth of a humpback calf off the coast of Kaikoura. The event at the weekend marked a rare occurrence in this renowned whale-watching location, celebrated for its abundant marine life, particularly sperm whales, throughout the year. 'Kaikoura is a world-renowned area for year-round whale watching, typically of sperm whales,' explained Daniel Stevenson, owner of Wings Over Whales and South Pacific Helicopters. 'However, this time of year, we are on the humpback migration highway as they move from the cool Antarctic waters to New Caledonia to calve.' The calf's premature arrival was a surprise to all involved. Sam Hamill, who observed the birth during a morning flight, described the scene: 'It was a surprise; I had to do a double take. Humpbacks don't typically calve here in Kaikoura. We watched the mother supporting the calf from beneath and helping it along its way, with around a number of Dusky dolphins surrounding them.' While the waters off Kaikoura are known for various whale sightings, such as sperm whales and occasional Southern Right Whales giving birth, seeing a humpback calf born in these cooler waters is exceedingly rare. Historically, documented occurrences of whale births in Kaikoura include a notable humpback birth witnessed by Wings Over Whales pilots three years ago, as well as occasional Southern Right Whale births in the area. This unexpected event underscores the dynamic and unpredictable nature of marine life in Kaikoura, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity and as a vital corridor for whale migration. Conservationists and marine enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how this young whale's journey progresses in the coming months.
