
Zephyr’s Calf’s First Fluke Shot!
At Prince of Whales, our dedication to marine life and conservation leads us to witness extraordinary moments like this one! On July 25th, we got the very first shot of Zephyr’s new calf.
The unique pattern on the underside of humpback whale flukes is crucial for identifying and tracking individual whales throughout their lives. Our naturalist, Michael, captured this remarkable image of BCZ0414 Zephyr’s 2024 calf. Documenting this young whale’s tail fluke is crucial for identifying and tracking it throughout its life. The distinctive markings on the fluke act as a natural fingerprint, helping researchers monitor health, migratory patterns, and behaviours. This practice is essential for understanding humpback whales. Each sighting and photograph contributes to our collective efforts towards conservation in the Salish Sea.
The history of Zephyr’s family is a great example of the resilience of humpback whales and their history in the Salish Sea. Big Mama’s return in 1997 was groundbreaking, paving the way for the return of humpbacks in these waters. Zephyr’s lineage continues to thrive, and this latest calf represents the future of this famous family!
This calf was lucky to be born into one of the most prominent families in the area! Zephyr, the mother of this calf, was born in 2011 and has two previous calves, which were born in 2019 and 2021. She is the daughter of BCX1057 “Divot,” who is one of Big Mama’s calves. “Big Mama” (BCY0324) is the first humpback to return to the Salish Sea in 1997 after intense whaling in the area. Big Mama’s return helped to bring humpbacks back to these waters, which now host hundreds of humpback whales each Summer and Fall. This makes this new calf one of Big Mama’s great-grandchildren!
At Prince of Whales, we are committed to sharing these incredible moments and stories from the Salish Sea. By doing so, we aim to inspire and educate our guests about the importance of marine conservation!