Baby Whale Born in Oregon Aquarium

Oregon Coast Aquarium welcomed a new baby whale on January 21, 2019. The calf was born to parents Tuffy and Nicky and is the first ever born at the aquarium.

The baby whale is about six feet long and weighs around 300 pounds. It has not been named yet, but staff at the aquarium are working on naming options.

"We are all so excited to have a new baby whale here at the aquarium," said Kaya Klope, marketing manager for the Oregon Coast Aquarium. "This calf is already very playful and loves to play with its mom and dad."

Tuffy and Nicky were both born in captivity and came to the Oregon Coast Aquarium in 2005. They have had six other calves, but this is the first to be born at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Whale watching is a popular tourist activity on the Oregon coast, and officials with the aquarium hope that the new baby whale will attract even more visitors.

Playful Baby Whale Bonds with pod at Oregon Aquarium

Newborn gray whale calf explores exhibit with its family

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A playful baby whale has been bonding with its pod at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

The calf was born to a 15-year-old mother Wednesday morning and shortly began swimming and playing alongside her and other whales in the exhibit.

The aquarium says it's too early to know the sex of the calf, which is about 8 feet long and weighs 400 pounds. It's the first gray whale birth at the aquarium.

Aquarium officials say the calf was probably born close to where it was found because it was very wet when it arrived. Staff monitored the mother and calf overnight before introducing them Thursday morning to the rest of the pod.

Oregon Coast Aquarium curator Pete Haase said in a statement that gray whales are known for being gentle and protective of their young.

California Fisherman Nets a Rare Albino Whale

California fisherman, Ron Gandolfi, reeled in a 26-foot-long albino whale on Saturday. This is only the second time an albino whale has been spotted in California in the past 30 years.

Albinism is a rare genetic condition that causes a lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes. Animals with this condition are often referred to as "white." Albino animals are very susceptible to sunburn and eye damage, so they typically stick to staying in the deep ocean waters.

Gandolfi said that he had never seen anything like it before. "It was amazing. It was beautiful," he said. "I couldn't believe it."

The albino whale is being stored at a local marine biology lab, where scientists will study it to see if there are any genetic abnormalities associated with the condition.

Pod of Whales Spotted off the Coast of Maine

A pod of whales was spotted off the coast of Maine this week. The pod is made up of a mix of humpback and finback whales, and is estimated to be around 100-150 strong.

The sighting is a rare one; marine biologists only see pods of this size a few times per year. It's not clear why the whales have gathered in this particular spot, but many observers say it's an amazing sight to behold.

This isn't the first time whales have been spotted near Maine. In fact, there are several known whale habitats in the area, including the St. George River and Penobscot Bay. It's possible that the pod has simply moved on from one of these areas to another.

Marine biologists are still trying to determine what the whales are doing off the coast of Maine. Some believe they may be feeding, while others think they might be heading south for the winter. Whatever the case may be, it's a pretty extraordinary sight to see!

Humpback Whale Sighted Off the Coast of Rhode Island

A humpback whale was sighted off the coast of Rhode Island this week, thrilling onlookers and photographers alike.

The whale was first spotted on Tuesday morning by a boater who reported it to the police. Officers from the Coast Guard quickly arrived on the scene and verified that it was, in fact, a humpback whale.

The whale remained in the area for most of the day, swimming close to shore and delighting those who were able to see it. It eventually moved further out into the ocean, but returned again on Wednesday morning.

This is only the second time in recent history that a humpback whale has been spotted near Rhode Island. The last time was in 2013.

Humpback whales are known for their acrobatic displays, often breaching out of the water and slapping their tails on the surface. They are also known for their elaborate vocalizations, which have been described as "songs."

These creatures are usually found near coastal areas, where they feed on small fish and crustaceans. They can grow up to 60 feet in length and weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

The appearance of this humpback whale has thrilled locals and visitors alike, providing a rare opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures firsthand.