Paddleboarder Receives Gentle Nudge from Protective Whale Mother off Western Australia Coast

Point Ann, WA – ⁢Stunning drone footage captured a close encounter ⁢off the coast of Western ⁣Australia this ‍weekend, revealing a paddleboarder approaching a southern ⁤right whale mother and her calf too closely. The incident, which occurred near Point Ann – approximately 538 kilometers southeast of Perth – shows the adult whale gently nudging the ‌paddleboarder after they actively paddled towards the marine mammals.

The footage shows the individual using their flippers to propel themselves closer to the whales, continuing to film even as‍ the protective mother approached. While no injuries‍ were reported, the incident has sparked renewed concern about human interference with vulnerable whale populations.

Western Australian regulations strictly prohibit swimming with, feeding, or ​touching⁢ whales. Guidelines mandate a minimum distance of ​100 meters between humans and whales if an encounter occurs.

“[Any sort of human interaction like this] does produce short-term impacts ‌on the whales,but the more and more this happens the more energy ‍it’ll have to use,” explained ​Dr. Kate‌ Sprogis,a whale ⁣researcher at ⁤the ‌University of Western Australia. point Ann is a critical ⁤resting and nursing ground for endangered southern right whales,where mothers conserve energy ​after their long migration.

Increasingly Common Disturbances

The ⁢incident highlights a growing trend of disruptive behavior⁣ around whales, fueled‍ by ⁤a desire⁣ for close-up encounters.Wildlife cinematographer Blair Ranford, who operates‍ under research and commercial filming permits, noted similar incidents are becoming increasingly frequent.

“sadly ​we saw⁢ it ⁢off Perth recently with the two mum and calf southern right[s],”​ Ranford said. He described a recent⁤ scene ​with⁢ “seven ‍or eight drones, ​four or five‌ paddleboarders, three ‍or four jet​ skis, two‌ boats,” lamenting the lack of respect shown ⁣to the⁤ wildlife. ‍”That’s ​not respecting the wildlife.”

Protecting a Vulnerable Species

Southern right whales are a protected species,⁣ and⁢ disturbances can have significant consequences for their ⁢health and reproductive success. Experts urge the public to ‍observe these magnificent creatures ​from a safe ‌distance and to report any violations of wildlife ⁣protection regulations.

Image⁣ captions:

* ⁣ ‌ Point Ann is located at the fitzgerald River ⁢National Park. (ABC News: Robert koenigluck)
*⁢ Ocean with⁣ paddleboard floating on top, a fin of​ a whale ‌breaching the water.

Keywords: Southern ⁢Right Whale, Western Australia, Point Ann, Whale⁣ Encounter, Paddleboarding, Drone Footage, Wildlife Protection, Marine conservation, Whale Calf,⁤ Endangered Species, wildlife Tourism, Kate Sprogis, Blair Ranford.