Dolphins lead lost humpback whale and her calf back to migration route in Western Australia
A pod of dolphins guided a humpback whale and her calf back to their migration route in an extraordinary moment caught on camera.
The heartwarming interaction between the two species took place on October 18 near Bunbury Back Beach in Western Australia.
The Dolphin Discovery Center Bunbury used a drone to capture the rare encounter.
It shows a humpback whale, initially mistaken for a killer whale due to her dramatic black and white markings, while her calf swims alone in the ocean.
The pair had deviated from their migration route, but a pod of dolphins arrived and guided them back to the route.
A pod of dolphins has guided a humpback whale and her calf back to their migration route near the coastline of Western Australia
The mother and calf closely follow the group of dolphins in the ocean.
At one point the group makes a left turn, with the mother humpback whale and calf breaking through behind the group.
The Dolphin Discovery Center confirmed that the two humpback whales were on their migration route when they left the group.
Whales can often be found along WA’s coastline at this time of year as they migrate south to their feeding grounds in Antarctica.
The center became aware of the lost whales after several beachgoers reported seeing an albino whale or possible killer whale in the ocean.
Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA) also received calls of a whale in distress at the same location.
The Dolphin Discovery Center became aware of the lost whales after several beachgoers reported seeing an albino whale or possible killer whale in the ocean
Parks and Wildlife Service WA (DBCA) received calls of a whale in distress at the same location
The Dolphin Discovery Center confirmed that the two humpback whales were on their migration route when they left the group
“Fortunately, our research and conservation vessel just hit the water and responded to investigate,” the Dolphin Discovery Center said in a statement.
‘It took some time to find the mystical animal as it moved further offshore in 14 meters of water and could only be seen when it came up to breathe.
‘Our team observed the animals and used a drone to ensure none of them became entangled or injured.’
The team found that both animals were ‘fit and healthy’.
βFor some reason they came very close to the Bunbury coast before being led back to their migration route by a large pod of Bunbury Back Beach dolphins,β she added.