Overview
- Naturalists’ photos show the calf uninjured on Oct. 16 and then with a deep gash near the dorsal fin on Oct. 20 a few kilometres from the reported strike site.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed the injured animal is the calf of the humpback known as Zig Zag, seen swimming with its mother on Monday.
- Hullo Ferries said its vessel Spuhels likely made contact with a whale on Oct. 17 and reported initiating evasive action and a crash stop, and the company is cooperating with the investigation.
- The Pacific Whale Watch Association urged boaters to be extra vigilant and to stay beyond the standard 200‑metre distance from Zig Zag and her calf.
- Researchers with the Marine Education & Research Society identified the calf as "Skipper" and highlighted that vessel strikes are a recurring risk in B.C. waters, where DFO logged 949 marine‑mammal incidents in its latest annual report.