The Arnoux s beaked whales spotted in Antarctic waters near Scott Base.
Photo: Antartica New Zealand
Antarctica New Zealand science tech Jamie McGaw said he counted about 12 whales in total - and it looked like they were having a ball. They made their way across the water right in front of the station, only a few kilometres offshore. They were tail-slapping and breaching, with the boom of their bodies hitting the water echoing around Pram Point. We weren t sure exactly what type of whale they were, so the base was buzzing with discussion following the sighting, he says.
Images taken by the team are considered of scientific importance as sightings in the Antarctic are so rare, with the last five years ago.
Community Scoop » A Whale Of A Time At Scott Base
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A Whale Of A Time At Scott Base
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Extremely rare beaked whale spotted near Antarctica for the first time in 5 years
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“Beaked whales are known for being incredibly elusive, so it is very exciting for the Scott Base team to be offered the rare chance to see these cryptic animals,” she said. McGaw said the “boom” of their bodies hitting the water echoed around Pram Point on the southeastern side of Hut Point Peninsula. The animals can grow to around 10 metres in length. “We weren’t sure exactly what type of whale they were, so the base was buzzing with discussion following the sighting,” McGaw said.
Supplied/Stuff
The whales were seen “porpoising” near Scott Base in Antarctica. The team scrambled to take photos of the whales, which were then sent to the Department of Conservation (DOC) for identification. DOC science advisor for marine species, Anton van Helden, who saw similar activity almost 10 years ago and only got “one very bad photo”, said the images were great.