Dozens of southern right whales migrate to Fowlers Bay, putting on a spectacular performance for tourists
A RARE white southern right whale calf is among 60 giants of the deep putting on a spectacular performance at Fowlers Bay.
A RARE white southern right whale calf is among 60 giants of the deep putting on a spectacular performance at Fowlers Bay.
The whale watching season on the far west coast, 900km from Adelaide, is in full swing providing endless entertainment for locals and tourists alike.
One of the more popular mammals this migrating season is the birth of the Bay’s first white calf, who has fondly been named by tour guides as Chris.
Fowlers Bay Eco Tours owner Rod Keogh, who has ran whale watching tours for the past nine years, said the calf had proved a hit with tourists.
“Chris has played a massive part in entertaining our guests on board our 48ft charter vessel, with endless displays of breaching,” Mr Keogh said.
“Most of the calves are reaching a month in age, which brings with it exciting displays of learning to breach, tail slap, pectoral slap and typical playful toddler behaviour.”
Mr Keogh said the Bay had welcomed a record 20 southern right whale cow and calf pairs, beating the previous 2011 record of 16 pairs.
“There’s also several unaccompanied adults and subadults, totalling over 60 southern right whales counted on any one day last week,” Mr Keogh said.
“Having that sheer volume of whales in such a small portion of water five minutes from the jetty is absolutely amazing.
“Fowlers Bay is definitely one of South Australia’s best kept secrets for whale watching.”
Fowlers Bay Eco Tours has a special licence permit that allows its boat to be 150m from the calves — standard regulation being 300m.
Southern right whales typically move into the warmer waters off the South Australian coast to calve between June and early October.
Originally published as Dozens of southern right whales migrate to Fowlers Bay, putting on a spectacular performance for tourists
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