A Whale Made A 3,000-Mile Journey From Canada to Hawaii – All With A Broken Spine

Dec 27, 2022 by apost team

A humpback whale has defied all the odds and managed to complete a 3,000-mile swim from hunting grounds on the west coast of Canada to breeding waters in Maui, Hawaii – all with a broken spine.

Researchers who had been following the whale named Moon for years first spotted the devastating injury on the female in September 2022, according to the non-profit research group BC Whales. “As our drone hovered overhead we immediately recognized that this whale had been struck by a vessel due to the unnatural ‘S’ bend in the spine from the dorsal fin to her fluke,” it shared on Facebook.

Three months later, Moon was detected in Maui. “When the images were shared with us, we knew immediately that this was the same whale — now over 3,000 miles away. It was confirmed soon afterward, it was Moon,” BC Whales wrote.

BC Whales said the injury was likely the effect of a collision between Moon and a vessel. “The harrowing images of her twisted body stirred us all. She was likely in considerable pain yet she migrated thousands of miles without being able to propel herself with her tail. Her journey left her completely emaciated and covered in whale lice as testament to her severely depreciated condition,” it explained.

Moon makes the long-distance journey between Canada and Hawaii waters as part of a cultural tradition passed down to her as a young calf by her mother. 

As for how the whale managed to travel so far, CEO and lead researcher for BC Whales Janie Wray said the truth was incredibly tragic. “Without the use of her tail, she was literally doing the breaststroke to make that migration. It’s absolutely amazing,” Wray told The Guardian. “But also it just breaks your heart.”

Even more harrowing is the fact that, because of Moon’s severe injury, the gentle giant would likely pass in the waters off Maui. “In her current condition, she will not survive to make the return journey,” BC Whales wrote. 

“She’s suffering and yet she’s still alive,” Wray added. “We know she’s not coming back to see us again. She is going to pass soon and we all feel: the sooner, the better.”

Wray said while researchers would prefer to euthanize the suffering sea creature, it was ruled out as it would require the use of chemicals that could poison other creatures feasting on her remains. “If she was on land, we could intervene. But because she’s in the ocean, and because of her size, there is nothing that we can do. And that just breaks your heart even further into pieces.” 

BC Whales said Moon’s story serves as a reminder of the damaging effects of boat strikes.

“We must all make every effort to ensure the safety of whales. Vessels of all sizes can be a threat: stay alert, slow down and wait. To reduce vessel strikes we encourage all boaters to be aware of their local laws and best practices,” it said and added: “This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards. It also speaks to their instinct and culture: the lengths whales will go to follow patterns of behaviour.”

In driving the point home, BC Whales urged for more caution in the open seas. 

“We will never truly understand the strength it took for Moon to take on what is regrettably her last journey, but it is on us to respect such tenacity within another species and recognize that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end.”

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Moon’s story is heartbreaking, but also proof of just how strong and beautiful the ocean’s gentle giants can be. Be sure to pass this along to family and friends who admire the natural wonders of the world and would appreciate hearing about Moon’s tremendous journey.