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4w ago

Big Mama Returns to Salish Sea with Eighth Calf, Marking First Calf Sighting of the Season

The iconic humpback matriarch, first seen in 1997, continues to play a vital role in the species' recovery with her latest calf, estimated to be four to five months old.

Big Mama, a well-known humpback whale, was seen in the Haro Strait with her eighth calf.
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Overview

  • Big Mama, a well-known humpback whale identified as BCY0324, was spotted in the Haro Strait with her eighth calf on May 21, 2025.
  • The calf, estimated to be four to five months old, stayed close to its mother during multiple sightings in the Salish Sea this week.
  • Big Mama has been a key figure in the humpback population's recovery since her first sighting in 1997, with seven grandcalves and four great-grandcalves contributing to her legacy.
  • Two of her previous calves, Divot (born 2003) and Moresby (born 2022), have also been seen in the region this season, highlighting her generational impact.
  • Despite population growth, humpbacks remain a species of special concern, facing threats from fishing gear, ship traffic, and natural predators like orcas during their migrations.