Parent and child humpback whales spotted in Oura Bay

Parent and child humpback whales spotted in Oura Bay

Parent and child humpback whales swimming on March 12 at Oura Bay in Nago City (provided by Noboru Nishihira)


March 14, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On both March 11 and 12, a parent and child humpback whales were spotted swimming in Oura Bay.

Since the pair were not spotted on March 13, it seems that they moved onto the open ocean.

The pair were seen showing their backs above water and breaching, appearing healthy.

Those who caught site of the pair were surprised by the rare siting.

One eyewitness said, “I wasn’t expecting to see whales in Oura Bay.”

 

 

Ruka Nishihara, 36, who is the captain of the glass-bottom boat in Oura Bay, spotted the pair of humpback whales swimming in the bay in the morning of March 11 about 500 meters offshore of Abu.

The pair had been breaching, or the act of pushing themselves above the surface and crashing back into the ocean causing a splash.

Nishihara said, “A part of me wanted to see the pair a little more, but I’m also happy that they were able to move on safely.”

 

 

Diving Team Snack Snufkin representative Nobu Nishihira, 60, who has been taking underwater photography in Oura Bay for many years said, “This is the first time I’ve seen whales in Oura Bay.

Mother humpback whale showing her back as she swims

 

I hope to see them again in the bay.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Chelsea Ashimine)

 

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