Injured Humpback Whale Calf | Tonga

Injured humpback whale calf Tahafa (calf #14 of the 2011 season) beside his mother. The calf’s wounds on its dorsal surface are visible in this photo, which I took during my initial encounter with this pair. The wounds are relatively fresh, with raw flesh exposed. A substantial portion of the anterior part of the calf’s dorsal fin is missing. Over the course of nine encounters spanning 33 days, I watched this young whale grow from a scared, injured baby to a confident young male. His mother also progressed from being understandably cautious and agitated to relaxed and confident. My best guess is that a false killer whale attack is the cause of the injuries to the calf.

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Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 4434x2956 / 16.6MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Megaptera novaeangliae Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Endangered: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Calf Mother and Calf Injury South Pacific Tonga Vava'u
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity

Injured humpback whale calf Tahafa (calf #14 of the 2011 season) beside his mother. The calf’s wounds on its dorsal surface are visible in this photo, which I took during my initial encounter with this pair. The wounds are relatively fresh, with raw flesh exposed. A substantial portion of the anterior part of the calf’s dorsal fin is missing. Over the course of nine encounters spanning 33 days, I watched this young whale grow from a scared, injured baby to a confident young male. His mother also progressed from being understandably cautious and agitated to relaxed and confident. My best guess is that a false killer whale attack is the cause of the injuries to the calf.