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Wilful Humpback Whales Reluctantly Head Toward Ocean |
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Written by Simon Jones
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Monday, 21 May 2007 |
A week after trying the patience of marine rescuers, a pair of wilful humpback whales reluctantly made its way toward the Pacific Ocean from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
The mother and child pair had strayed 90 miles inland last week and had frustrated marine rescuers by their inability to change direction toward the ocean.
The latest whale saga brought back memories of Humphrey the humpback whale, which had strayed into inland waters in 1985. Humphrey the humpback whale strayed twice into inland waters in the San Francisco Bay and captured the imagination of the public as well as the media.
In one instance the whale stayed inland for 26 days before finally heading back to the ocean. However scientists used whale whisperings or sound recordings only 16 days after the whale was in inland waters. Humphrey was again sighted inland in 1991 near the Farallon Islands.
The current incident involving the mother-child pair of humpback whales has also excited the public. These whales swam further inland than Humphrey and although whale whisperings were used quite early on they refused to budge.
As soon as the media got wind of the whales, there began a controversy in naming them. Some called them Momma and Baby, while others referred to the lost whales as Rio and Vista as they were first spotted near Rio Vista. Some others tries naming them Delta and Dawn, but the whole naming controversy could not be dragged on as the whales headed to the Pacific Ocean on Sunday.
No one is sure why the whales changed direction, but there was apparent relief among the Coast Guard, because the whales were wounded and there was concern for their safety.
The Coast Guard felt that the whales changed direction after tug boats stationed some 100 yards away fired their engines. The whales are heading back at a pace of 6mph. The marine rescue team is also trying to make certain the whales do not stray off course by placing tug boats at strategic points.
Marine officials are worried the whales might encounter dangers on their course to the Pacific and have some boats following them discreetly.
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