Posted on 07/23/2009 5:50:27 PM PDT by Steelfish
Photograph shows whale's first breath
The moment a mother humpback whale lifted up her calf to take its first breath has been captured on camera in Australia.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent Jul 23, 2009
The footage is also thought to be the first time a humpback whale has been filmed giving birth in the wild Photo [Pic in URL]
Researchers were surveying humpback whales off Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia when they noticed blood around a female.
On closer inspection, they noticed a calf struggling to breath before the mother dived beneath the surface to lift up her new born and allow it to take its first breath.
Micheline Jenner, of the Centre for Whale Research, said it was an extraordinary moment.
"The cow held the calf gently in this position for about 10 seconds while it took what we now understand to be its first breath of life", she said. After taking its first breath the calf was able to swim in the water beside its mother.
The newborn, named Tantabiddi after the entrance to the reef where it was born, would have measured about five metres long and weighed up to 1½ tonnes. Its mother, up to 15 metres long, could have weighed up to 45 tonnes.
The footage is also thought to be the first time a humpback whale has been filmed giving birth in the wild.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Thanks for posting this, Steefish!
Whales are awesome!
PING to a few of my buddies.
Thanks for the pic post. Better than the original!
oh, how cool.......tx.
Animals make me believe there’s hope for people.
Thanks for the ping....awesome picture!
First whale Ive seen all week!
I blubbered over how sweet the photo is.
Nice re-creation! cool.
Sorry. I just had a 70's flashback.
Cool pic!
I love Whales. They’re so majestic and mysterious.
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