Donegal people asked to watch out for rare whale sighting

Featured image: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Donegal people have been asked to join the watch for a rare whale which made a surprise appearance off the coast this summer.

And there’s a prize reward for those who manage to snap a verified sighting.

On 15th July, wildlife enthusiasts were excited by the sighting of a rare Northern Right Whale breaching off Muckross Head and Killybegs.

One of the world’s most endangered large whale species, this whale hasn’t been seen this side of the Atlantic in at least 50-60 years. July’s reports were the first EVER confirmed sighting of this leviathan since the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group records began 35 years ago.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group received another reported sighting between Lower Cruit Island and Arranmore on 13th August last week. A US visitor from Massachusetts, who is an experienced whale watcher, identified the typical features and behaviour of a right whale. However, because no photos were taken, the IWDG cannot verify it.

Now, the group is calling on people by the Donegal coast and Irish northwest waters to keep an eye on the horizon for the impressive creature.

Pádraig Whooley, IWDG Sightings Officer said: “With these two reports of a North Atlantic right whale, albeit the second a “probable”, both from Co. Donegal on July 15th and August 13th and only 70 km distant, we’d ask observers in Irish northwest waters and Donegal in particular to be extra vigilant and to report any unusual whale sightings to IWDG with images or video. In case you can be incentivised, we’ll give a free IWDG hoodie along with a year’s membership to the next person to confirm with photographic proof, the presence and whereabouts of this pioneering right whale.”

Distinctive for its V shaped spout and white patches of skin, it’s thought that fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales remain. Their population, once in the thousands, was harmed by hunters and commercial whalers over the centuries.

Any seafarers looking for a glimpse of the whale with their own eyes are asked to be cautious and mindful of the rarity of this creature.

The IWDG asks people to look for the whale from the shoreline using optics only.

“North Atlantic Right whales are most susceptible to ship strike and even a collision with a small vessel can have fatal consequences for the individual and a significant impact at population level.  There is an enormous onus on us all to ensure this whale remains as long as it needs in Donegal bay, where it’s most likely feeding on tiny copepods, without having to run the gauntlet of small craft and sightseers.”

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group can be contacted on Facebook or on: iwdg.ie

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