In the Wake of Fin Whales, Belugas, and Seals

This week’s stars include Zipper, a female fin whale known since 1994. She was spotted between Les Bergeronnes and Les Escoumins. Easily recognizable by the scar on her right flank, her presence marks a return eagerly awaited by whale enthusiasts. This is not the only fin whale present in the estuary, as others have also been reported. “Between Baie-Comeau and Franquelin, two fin whales have been surface feeding near the shore while two others are heading to another site.”

Sightings have also increased at other points along the river. In Essipit, a fin whale was seen moving west, and a little later, a small group of belugas – sometimes solo, sometimes in pairs – was observed heading westward, taking advantage of the incoming tide. For one traveller, seeing these belugas for the first time was an unforgettable experience.

Lastly, a few belugas were observed in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. One of them, an adult, had an unusual hump on its back. A resident commented on his observation: “Last Friday, April 11, a few belugas were roaming around the Rivière-Ouelle wharf, which is a typical scene between mid-April and mid-May. One of the animals, however, caught my attention! It was an adult with an enormous hump on its upper back, which gave the impression that it was coming up for air in two bursts!” According to the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals, it is most likely either Pascolio or Néo, two well-known individuals that can be recognized by their curved backs. Photos have been submitted for analysis.

Thanks to all our collaborators!

Special thanks go out to all our observers who share their love for marine mammals with us! Your encounters with cetaceans and pinnipeds are always a pleasure to read and discover.

On the water or from shore, it is your eyes that give life to this column.