April 23rd, 2018 - Humpback "mugger" in the Strait of Georgia Matched!

Keta Coastal Conservation has confirmed the ID and gender of yesterday's "mugger" in the Strait of Georgia.

The individual is known as "Dalmatian", who is the 2015 calf of BCY0160. And it turns out "Dalmatian" is a female! This whale was first identified by Keta in 2015 and has been catalogued by both Keta and the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS).

The fluke markings on this individual were matched to "Dalmatian", a 2015 calf of known whale BCY0160. Photo by Ashley Keegan.

This photo of "Dalmatian's" underside confirms she's a female! We hope she'll bring her own calves to feed in BC's nutrient-rich waters in the years to come. Photo by Ashley Keegan.

Mugging behaviour is becoming more common each year in BC waters. While it's certainly exciting to have a whale approach your boat up close, it can also be potentially dangerous for the whale. That's why if you encounter a whale, it's important to proceed slowly and with caution. And if a whale approaches your vessel, be sure to shut down until the animal moves at least 100 meters away.

If you are involved in or witness an incident, call the DFO incident reporting line:
1-800-465-4336.