A marine enthusiast from Argentina, Agustin Baraschi, recently captured footage of a rare white humpback whale near the coastal town of Las Grutas in the Río Negro region.
Mother is Dark Blue
The sighting, which occurred in July, has thrilled wildlife lovers, as these unique animals are seldom seen.
Southern right whales, known for their massive size — up to 80,000 pounds — frequently inhabit the waters off South America. However, the birth of a white humpback is a rare occurrence, happening only every few years.
Baraschi, who has a deep passion for marine life, described the whale calf as just a few days old, emphasizing its significance for the region since it is likely to remain there for several months.
In the video shared with Storyful, viewers can see the young white whale swimming alongside an adult, presumed to be its mother.
The mother exhibits the more typical dark blue-black coloration common among humpback whales. Interestingly, this white calf is not an albino; its unusual color is a natural variation that sometimes occurs in male humpback calves.
Exact number unknown
White humpback whales have been spotted occasionally in recent years, including sightings in Australia in 2008 and along the coast of Argentina in 2005 and 2018.
Historically, southern right whales were easy targets for whalers due to their inquisitive nature. However, since being protected in 1935, their population has begun to recover, with estimates now around 7,000 individuals.
The exact number of white southern right whales remains unknown, but the occasional sighting continues to capture the imagination of marine biologists and enthusiasts alike, reminding us of the ocean's extraordinary diversity.
