26-06-2025
Extraordinary footage captures the rare call of elusive dwarf minke whales
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
