Two rare fin whales spotted off Western Australia coast
Drone pilots photographed two fin whales in Geographe Bay, rare visual proof of the recovering species.
Drone pilots have photographed two fin whales migrating north along Western Australia's coast. The sightings were in Geographe Bay, about 220 kilometres south of Perth.
One whale passed within 50 metres of shore in shallow water. Fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth.
They spend most of their time below the surface. This makes sightings uncommon.
The species is still recovering from commercial whaling. About 700,000 fin whales were killed in the 20th century.
Researchers say the video is valuable. Scientists usually learn about fin whales by listening to their calls.
Seeing them is much rarer.
- About 700,000
- Whales killed in 20th century
- Within 50 metres
- Closest approach to shore
- 70 to 80 years
- Fin whale lifespan
Why it mattersVisual records help researchers understand fin whale migration patterns and population recovery. Audio data alone cannot show both of these things.
AustraliaThe sightings add to Australian scientific knowledge of a threatened marine species and show the value of citizen science in conservation monitoring.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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