Humpback Whale Unusual Dorsal Fin | Alaska

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) that had an unusual dorsal fin, one that was split into three sections. It was not possible to determine whether this split dorsal was present from birth, or whether it was the result of an accident such as a propellor strike. I photographed this same whale in 2016 at Point Adolphus. (see unusual-dorsal-fin-humpback-whale-alaska-201607-2096.tif). In 2018, this whale was in a bubble-feeding group active in the Icy Strait, around Pleasant Island and Gustavus. This was one of two whales in the 2018 group that I recognized from 2016.

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Filename: unusual-dorsal-fin-humpback-whale-alaska-201807-1236.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 5632x3755 / 60.5MB; 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 Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira North Pacific Humpback Whale Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Least Concern: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Injury Dorsal Fin Propellor Strike Ship Strike Pacific United States of America Alaska Icy Strait
Contained in galleries: Humpback Whale Activity, Ship Strikes, Strandings, Skeletons

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira) that had an unusual dorsal fin, one that was split into three sections. It was not possible to determine whether this split dorsal was present from birth, or whether it was the result of an accident such as a propellor strike. I photographed this same whale in 2016 at Point Adolphus. (see unusual-dorsal-fin-humpback-whale-alaska-201607-2096.tif). In 2018, this whale was in a bubble-feeding group active in the Icy Strait, around Pleasant Island and Gustavus. This was one of two whales in the 2018 group that I recognized from 2016.