Mother gray whale in Klamath River resists all efforts--even the sounds of killer whales--to drive her back to sea

Perhaps when a whale enters a river and refuses to leave, it's doing so for an inexplicable reason and ought to be left to its own instincts.

While that may seem cruel, consider what's happening in the Klamath River in Northern California.

A mother gray whale and her calf were spotted in the waterway about a month ago. The six-month-old calf last Friday swam back into the ocean, perhaps on its own volition, driven by hunger; but perhaps by so much commotion. 

The mother simply will not go, and good-natured efforts to drive the cetacean out have proved fruitless.

On Wednesday this included broadcasting the sounds of killer whales underwater, hoping that the whale will think its archenemy is nearby. It didn't work.

Other tactics, according to the Daily Triplicate, have included spraying water cannons and banging on pipes and hammers.

The story quotes a Humboldt State University scientist as saying, "It's about time the baby should be leaving."

The baby should be leaving its mother soon, but this is a little early, according to American Cetacean Society researcher Alisa Schulman-Janiger. The researcher added that the calf has never been to the Arctic feeding grounds and probably was still nursing. "It's unlikely that it can get there on its own, and its chances of survival without its mother are slim," she said.

Both whales had been a tourist attraction for motorists on the Highway 101 bridge, nearly three miles from the ocean. Now there's only the female, which is about 45 feet long and weighs perhaps 40 tons.

Scientists and members of the Yurok Tribe, which has fishing rights on the Klamath, weren't sure sure what to do next.

One concern is that the river will soon be dropping. Perhaps that will provide impetus for the whale to leave. Perhaps hunger will eventually drive the whale out, though the baleen whale may be finding some food on the river bottom.

Perhaps boat traffic -- there has been harassment, as boaters and jet-skiers have been seen closely approaching both whales -- ultimately will prove bothersome enough for the leviathan to swim downriver, toward the ocean.

The Yurok Tribe states in a news release that the last time a whale entered the Klamath was in 1989. "The whale left the river without incident," the statement concluded.

This mother gray will not leave without incident, because of all the efforts of persuasion, but maybe it will, ultimately, just pick up and leave.

-- Image is courtesy of Matt Mais / Yurok Tribe

Comments

[Frances Griffin]

In San Ignacio Lagoon where they go to calve, the whales do show that they feel safe and they approach the boats with their calves. There they do seem interested in the humans and even to welcome contact. Note, however, that the boats are required to keep a considerable distance from the whales and must float silently to permit the whales to approach them The viewing area is restricted and the number of boats is regulated. It is an amazing experience and I recommend it highly. I still tear up when I think of it.

[Lynn]

thts insane howis a whale in a river i am am 11 years old and i have never heard of a whale in a river my whole life

[zoe sullivan]

We were on vacation from CO, heading to Sheridan, OR. Lots 'o' people on bridge so I found out what was what and jumped out of the vehicle on the bridge. This was July 30. Just home from 16 days of travel and am anxious to know the outcome of this mother whale. I was worried for days (still am somewhat) after we saw her. I'm also worried about the baby....does anyone have the absolutely current status of 1 or both? Will read all comments after I'm unpacked from travel, but would like to know sooner if someone could just shoot me an update. Thanks so much!!!!

[Carolyn Rohrbaugh]

On July 13 we happened to be in Klamath, Ca and were thrilled to see the mother whale and her baby. We felt the mother and baby did indeed enjoy the attention it was receiving. I wonder, if the baby was smart enough to leave without help why wouldn't the mother know when and how to go. Animals are much smarter then we give them credit for.

[Bruisermom]

I don't know how whales think, either, but I do know the gray whales of Baja's San Ignacio Lagoon seem to enjoy (and definitely invite) the attention of human visitors. The moms bring their calves to the (small) boats and actively seek to be touched. So I wouldn't think it's out of the realm of possibility this gray is seeking that kind of contact. I'm just really surprised she let her baby go on without her, given how devoted the mother grays are.

[M. D. Vaden]

Had an odd thought ... but is there a remote possibility that the whale can see people watching, and the spectacle is keeping it interested in staying there? Have no idea how an animal like that thinks.