Blog post written for Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
Return of Pinky the Humpback Whale
The west coast of Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of wildlife. Ucluelet whale watching tours report daily sightings of sea lions, harbour seals, sea otters, eagles, Grey and Humpback whales. The opportunity to observe this wildlife, especially whales, draws people to Ucluelet from all over the country and the world. Seeing a Grey or Humpback whale wave its tail, dive into the water or even breach out of the water is an unforgettable experience.
Both Grey and Humpback whales are migratory, passing by our coast annually on their way to feeding grounds. The nutrient rich waters around Ucluelet and Barkley Sound provide sustenance for these whales and many stop here for the season. There are a few individual whales that stop and stay here for the entire summer, year after year. We call these resident whales.
One of these whales is Pinky the Humpback Whale. Pinky was first spotted in 2006 by Subtidal Adventures, a local whale and wildlife tour company. A Skipper from Subtidal Adventures gave Pinky her name from the pink colour skin on her throat. You can see the pink best when her throat grooves are expanded while the whale is lunge feeding.
Year after year Pinky has been spotted in sound, identifiable by the distinct markings on her tail. Whale watchers and wildlife researchers use the photo identification process to determine reoccurring sightings of individual whales. By photographing unique scarring and markings on their bodies and tails, tail patterns and dorsal fins; and then matching these marking to photos taken in the past, they are able to accurately identify individual whales! Can you see the markings on Pinky’s tale?
When we first started to see Pinky, we though she was a male. Two years ago she proved us wrong by returning to Ucluelet with a calf. Pinky and her calf were spotted several times, including a particularly entertaining time when the calf was name Jumper. Jumper put on quite a show one afternoon in Toquart Bay, leaping completely out of the water and waving its tail at excited whale watchers.
Humpback whales like Pinky come for the food…and that is why they stay.
“One year she stayed until November 19th,” shared Brian Congdon of Subtidal Adventures. “Although we don’t see her every trip, she has been in the Barkley Sound area all week and I hope she finds enough food to stay all summer.”
Brian also commented that he expects Pinky will return with another calf in 2015. We can’t wait to see if she does! Book your Whale Watching Adventure package with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort.
Until next time,
Amy Hancock
All photos courtesy of Brian Congdon