Marine biologists at the Vancouver Aquarium were able to identify the juvenile whale as from the Nortern resident killer whale population. Whale A95, a six-year-old female called Fern, is now being monitored by Aquarium marine researchers and researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“The wound appeared extensive but superficial, consistent with an injury inflicted by a propeller, and quite fresh,” The Vancouver Aquarium said in a press release on Tuesday. “Likely from the same morning.”
Naturally, boat strikes are possible and a great danger to whales. “Although rare, incidents of boat strikes on killer whales do happen,” Vancouver Aquarium research biologist Meghan Moore said in their press release.
“Twelve years ago, A95’s great uncle A60 (Fife) was spotted with a series of deep, parallel cuts on and just below the right side of his dorsal fin; we believe they were caused by a boat propeller. They’ve since healed and Fife is alive and doing well today.”
The Aquarium notes that there are guidelines on the Be Whale Wise website that gives boaters a blueprint on how to keep themselves and whales safe during encounters. A principle rule is to get no closer than 100 meters to whales or dolphins.
While they are monitoring Fern, the Aquarium is optimistic she’s is okay and will make a full recovery. They noted that while the researchers watched the injured whale she looked lively and was “engaged in social activity and apparently behaving normally.”
