A Quick Glance at the World of Whales

As fall draws to a close and the first snowflakes begin to fall, whales leave Canadian waters and head for their wintering grounds, which in the case of certain species are well known. For example, in winter, most North Atlantic right whales take refuge in the warm waters of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Females give birth to their young between December and March. Since the start of the 2021-2022 calving season, 13 newborns have been reported. This tally is particularly encouraging for this vulnerable species, whose population now numbers fewer than 350 individuals. Each calf is a ray of hope for the species’ survival.

The seasonal migratory movements of humpback whales are also well known. In recent weeks, several have been observed daily in the Caribbean. Like right whales, mature humpbacks leave for temperate waters to give birth to their calves during the winter. In a few months, these mother-calf pairs will leave their tropical paradise and embark on a perilous journey north, notably toward the St. Lawrence River.

This time of year, whales are also abundant off the west coast of Australia. But rather than baleen giants, cetacean lovers have been enjoying encounters with pods of killer whales and pilot whales. Blue whales can be found in these waters only in the months of April and May, while humpbacks frequent the area between May and December.

In Hawaii, a photographer had the chance to capture some unique footage using a drone. In the video, we can observe a humpback whale turning over itself with a dolphin at its side. Were they playing together, or was the rorqual annoyed and performing this manoeuvre in an attempt to drive the dolphin away? Either way, this amazing scene reminds us how wonderful and mysterious cetaceans are.

Have you seen a marine mammal in the St. Lawrence? Share your sighting and photos with the Whales Online team and its readers by contacting us at [email protected]