In case you haven’t heard, there’s an exciting new arrival in BC’s waters!
The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) has confirmed that the first humpback whale calf of the season has been spotted in the Salish Sea, alongside its famous mother, BCY0324—better known as “Big Mama.”
The sighting happened last Wednesday, May 21st in Haro Strait, northeast of Sidney Island near the Canada/US border.
Big Mama and her calf were seen cruising through the waters, and they were spotted again the following day.
The baby, who’s Big Mama’s eighth known calf, is estimated to be around 4 to 5 months old, and stayed close to its mother during the encounters, showcasing a strong bond between the two.
“We’re always eager to see who the first calf of the season will be,” said Erin Gless, the PWWA’s executive director.
“And we’re always anxious waiting for Big Mama’s return. This year we got to celebrate both happy occasions at once!”
In case you weren’t aware, humpback calves aren’t born in local waters, they’re born in the warm, tropical waters off Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America during the winter months.
Big Mama, part of the Hawaiian population, traveled thousands of miles north with her calf to reach the feeding grounds of the Salish Sea.
The journey isn’t easy, with hazards like fishing gear, busy shipping lanes, and lurking killer whales. But Big Mama has made this trek many times before.
Big Mama has been a local legend here for many years, and for good reason. First sighted off Victoria in 1997, she was one of the pioneers in the return of humpback whales to the region after commercial whaling ended in 1966.
Since then, she’s returned every year, and now boasts an impressive family tree that includes at least eight calves, seven grandcalves, and four great-grandcalves.
Two of her previous calves—Divot, born in 2003, and Moresby, born in 2022—have also made appearances in the Salish Sea this season.
Over the next few weeks, even more humpbacks are expected to arrive, ready to feed on the abundance of small fish and krill before migrating south again in the fall.
Keep your eyes on the water, as you never know when you might catch a glimpse of these gentle giants!
