Latest news with #OrganisationforRescueandResearchofCetaceansinAustralia
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
The ‘crème de la crème' of humpback whale photos
These images, by Sydney Morning Herald photo editor Danielle Smith, capture the 'crème de la crème' of humpback whale sightings – a double breach – says marine biologist Dr Vanessa Pirotta. 'For two giant school bus-sized, blubbery whales, sometimes the weight of 40,000 kilograms, to have a coordinated jump at the same time ... is just fabulous' she said. 'We don't exactly know why they do it, but it most likely serves as a form of communication,' said Pirotta of the movement, often likened to dancing, which sees whales jump out of the water. 'The humpback whale really does get the reputation of being the most acrobatic marine animal because when they jump, you never know when it's going to happen. And sometimes they literally will put on a show for people viewing them, and it's a spectacular one.' Marine mammal rescue charity the Organisation for Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) said there had been a record number of whale sightings this year, with almost 6000 humpbacks spotted on the 26th Annual Whale Census on June 29. Pirotta said this number may include repeat counts of the same whale, but praised the work of members of the public who report sightings. 'We as scientists rely on citizen scientists and non-scientists to do a lot of our observations because the Australian coastline is so large, and we are now connected more than ever thanks to social media.' The images were taken off the coast of Lennox Head in northern NSW during a whale watching expedition with local tour boat operator Out Of The Blue Adventures.
The Age
2 days ago
- Science
- The Age
The ‘crème de la crème' of humpback whale photos
These images, by Sydney Morning Herald photo editor Danielle Smith, capture the 'crème de la crème' of humpback whale sightings – a double breach – says marine biologist Dr Vanessa Pirotta. 'For two giant school bus-sized, blubbery whales, sometimes the weight of 40,000 kilograms, to have a coordinated jump at the same time ... is just fabulous' she said. 'We don't exactly know why they do it, but it most likely serves as a form of communication,' said Pirotta of the movement, often likened to dancing, which sees whales jump out of the water. 'The humpback whale really does get the reputation of being the most acrobatic marine animal because when they jump, you never know when it's going to happen. And sometimes they literally will put on a show for people viewing them, and it's a spectacular one.' Marine mammal rescue charity the Organisation for Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) said there had been a record number of whale sightings this year, with almost 6000 humpbacks spotted on the 26th Annual Whale Census on June 29. Pirotta said this number may include repeat counts of the same whale, but praised the work of members of the public who report sightings. 'We as scientists rely on citizen scientists and non-scientists to do a lot of our observations because the Australian coastline is so large, and we are now connected more than ever thanks to social media.' The images were taken off the coast of Lennox Head in northern NSW during a whale watching expedition with local tour boat operator Out Of The Blue Adventures.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tragic detail spotted on whale off Aussie coast as time runs out in rescue mission
A humpback whale remains trapped in a tangle of rope, dragging a buoy behind it, after urgent rescue efforts failed to set it free when it was first sighted just south of Sydney Harbour on Sunday. The adult whale is heading south, opposite the usual migratory path for this time of year, which is peak whale migration season. Jessica Fox, Vice President of the Organisation for Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), said that the entangled whale has rope caught on its left pectoral fin and is dragging a buoy, described as light in colour and nearly white, trailing about 20 metres behind it. She told the ABC the whale was likely to pass the coast of Port Kembla and Wollongong later on Monday morning. Earlier, the National Parks and Wildlife Service's Large Whale Disentanglement Team had been on standby, ready to intervene if conditions permitted and time allowed. Rescuing entangled whales is an extremely complex and risky process. Several key factors make these rescues difficult: the unpredictable movement of large, distressed whales, the need for precise coordination to cut ropes without harming the animal or rescuers, and the complexity of the entanglement itself, which often involves multiple lines or old fishing gear. Trained specialists must also work in open water under often unpredictable weather conditions, adding to the risk and difficulty. Fox said time was running out for a safe rescue, but she stressed the importance of any new sightings, explaining that even if the team couldn't reach the whale before nightfall, up-to-date information would help track its movement and potentially guide rescue efforts the following day. It was last seen at 2pm near South Head on Sunday. "Humpback whales would usually all be still heading north this time of year in June," Fox said. "This is very unusual to see it travelling south so early in the season, and this is why we think this whale is in distress and it's turning around and heading back to the Great Southern Ocean." 🐬 Aussie dad and son's incredible encounter while fishing 5km off coast 🛥️ Tourists witness brutal event as whales 'change their behaviour' in seconds 🛶 Warning after 'unusual sightseer' prompts calls from worried Aussies Fox said the whale had been travelling slowly, then at a rapid pace at times, signs that it's also under stress. It is not certain where the whale became entangled. Specialist whale rescuers have been analysing video footage of the entangled humpback, provided by ORRCA and members of the public. Once the whale is located, the rescue team will determine the safest boat positioning needed to catch the rope and remove it. The public is being urged to call the whale rescue hotline on 02 9415 3333 if they spot the whale. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
