Heartbreaking video shows Humpback whale, Moon, making her final 3,000-mile journey with FRACTURED SPINE
MAUI COUNTY, HAWAII: A humpback whale named Moon with a damaged spine exceeded all expectations when it swam 3,000 miles in the breaststroke from Canada to Hawaii. Moon was discovered off the coast of British Columbia with a lower body that was twisted, which scientists think was the result of a boat hitting the animal.
Moon continued on with her annual migration to warmer waters despite the wound, but pictures of the whale taken off the coast of Maui indicate that the excruciating voyage left it malnourished and infected with whale lice. Scientists note that although they are pleased that Moon arrived at Hawaii after a decade of tracking by the Pacific Whale Foundation, this is likely where she will die. The Fin Island Research Station made the initial observation of Moon on September 7, noting that its lower body was curved in an odd 'S' form rather than the typical straight line from the dorsal fin to her fluke. The severe spinal injury was apparent when the crew used a drone to get a closer look.
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BC Whales stated, "The harrowing images of her twisted body stirred us all. She was likely in considerable pain yet she migrated thousands of miles without being able to propel herself with her tail," as reported by the DailyMail. Moon's dimensions are unknown, however female humpback whales have been known to reach lengths of 49 feet and weights of 35 tons.
Researchers stated that the whale has traveled the same route every year for the previous 10 years, which suggests that the behavior is likely inherited. Scientists were thrilled to see Moon carrying a calf when she first made an appearance in Canadian waters in 2020. But in September, scientists discovered a change.
BC Whales stated, "This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards. It also speaks to their instinct and culture: the lengths whales will go to follow patterns of behavior." Researchers remarked that although Moon has finished her yearly migration, this would be the last time she made the long voyage.
BC Whales added, "Tenacity and tragedy. Moon.. will not make it back. We will never truly understand the strength it took for Moon to take on what is regrettably her last journey, but it is on us to respect such tenacity within another species and recognize that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end."
Janie Wray, the CEO and principal investigator for BC Whales, told The Guardian while scientists would prefer to put an end to the whale's suffering by euthanizing her, they are concerned that the "cocktail of toxic substances" used to do so might poison the marine life that would consume the whale's remains. "If she was on land, we could intervene. But because she's in the ocean, and because of her size, there is nothing that we can do. And that just breaks your heart even further into pieces," Wray added.