Whale watchers at Terrigal were treated to a very special sight just before 10am on Friday, June 20.
At the peak of the northern whale migration, a mother humpback whale proudly showed off her newborn calf 100m off the Skillion.
Marine Mammal Specialist for Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast Ronny Ling said the little whale was about three metres long, and dwarfed by its huge mother.
“They were accompanied by another whale, which is usually another female, and continued to travel north, close to shore along our coastline,” Ling said.
“The little whale was only a few hours old, showing a very pale colour, fetal folds and curved flippers and fluke.
“The mother and her baby will continue to migrate north to warmer waters, where mum will prepare the little whale to head south around September to the Summer feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean.”
Ling said the baby whale would increase its blubber layer by drinking up to 300 litres of milk from its mother, which is thick like toothpaste.
“The milk content can be up to 70% fat,” he said.
“The whale calf will increase its weight by around 50kg to 100kg a day.”
If you see an entangled, injured or distressed whale or other marine creature please call Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast on 0478 439 965.
