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Injured humpback whale calf | Megaptera novaeangliae | Vava'u, Tonga

Female humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) playing at the surface by slapping its tail on the water. This calf was the 44th calf I ID-ed in the 2011 season. She had multiple wounds over her body, including this prominent wound on her fluke. I don't know the cause of the wounds, but I believe that the possibility of an attack by false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) is high.

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Filename: injured-humpback-whale-megaptera-novaeangliae-false-killer-whale-bite-pseudorca-crassidens-tonga-201108-1203.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form without prior written consent.
Image Size: 4896x3264 / 45.8MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; South Pacific Tonga Vava'u Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Cetartiodactyla Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Marine Mammal Baleen Whale Rorqual Mysticete Megaptera novaeangliae Endangered: IUCN Red List CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Juvenile Calf Female Injury Fluke Tail Slap
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity

Female humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) playing at the surface by slapping its tail on the water. This calf was the 44th calf I ID-ed in the 2011 season. She had multiple wounds over her body, including this prominent wound on her fluke. I don't know the cause of the wounds, but I believe that the possibility of an attack by false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) is high.