In an incredibly rare occurrence, passengers aboard a Cronulla ferry cruise in Sydney, Australia were amazed to spot a juvenile Antarctic minke whale swimming alongside their boat. The unusual sighting occurred around 10 am on Monday as the ferry approached Bundeena Wharf in Port Hacking, just south of the city.
Minke whales, the second smallest baleen whale species, are typically observed in the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica. So for one to appear in the comparatively balmy shallows of Sydney Harbor is extraordinarily uncommon, leaving marine biologists perplexed.
“I’ve been here for 20 years and I’ve never heard of [a whale] being in the Hacking like that,” said Christine Hack, manager of Cronulla and National Park Ferry Cruises. “We see lots of dolphins, they love to swim along the bow.”
A Rare Visitor from the Southern Ocean
The young whale, estimated to be a juvenile, surprised onlookers by following the ferry right up to the wharf and back out again. Dwarf minke whales, a subspecies, are occasionally spotted off Sydney during the annual whale migration season from May to November. But a full-sized Antarctic minke is almost unheard of.
“This sighting is unusual, because not only is it not a dwarf, is an Antarctic minke,” explained wildlife scientist Dr. Vanessa Pirotta of Macquarie University. “I’ve never heard of an Antarctic minke whale here. It’s a species that we don’t generally see off Sydney, regardless of time of the year.”
Theories on the Whale’s Presence
Scientists are unsure what would have prompted this Antarctic native to venture so far north, especially considering this is the time of year the species is usually concentrated in the icy southern latitudes. Dr. Pirotta speculated that it may have been a navigational error.
“It may be a case of mis-navigation, it may be a case that it just happened to be in the area,” she said. “The good thing is it looks in good condition, and it was observed going out to [sea], which is a good thing. If we’ll see it again, I’m not sure.”
While minke whales have been known to range as far north as Queensland, actual sightings outside Antarctic waters are few and far between. Their normal habitat stretches from the sea ice edge to the polar pack ice.
Contributing to Marine Research
Despite the puzzling circumstances behind this minke’s trip to Sydney, Dr. Pirotta sees a silver lining. She encouraged anyone who spots an unusual marine animal to share the sighting with authorities to aid in scientific understanding.
“The public is encouraged to share sightings of unusual marine species with NSW Parks and Wildlife to aid scientists,” she stated.
Cronulla ferry staff Jamie and Steve managed to capture remarkable footage of the young whale swimming right beside the wharf and boat. Their quick reflexes will undoubtedly assist researchers trying to piece together this maritime mystery.
While experts work to unravel what brought this Antarctic voyager to Australia, Sydney residents can count themselves lucky to have witnessed such an exceptional wildlife encounter. Whether the juvenile minke was simply adventurous or got a bit lost, its surprise visit is sure to be remembered as a once-in-a-lifetime event for all who saw it cruising Sydney’s clear coastal waters.
