Citizens Help I.D. Calf off Cocoa Beach
On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 19, Julie
Albert responded to a call from the Wavecrest
Condominium in Cocoa Beach. Theresa and Tommy
Blair reported a right whale sighting after their next
door neighbors, Rick & Gloria Tipton spotted a
mother and calf heading north. Although the Blairs
were on their way out the door, the Tiptons, along with
their visiting daughter, Kathy Rayl, offered their
balcony as a lookout and video footage of the mother
and calf. Upon confirmation of the species, the whales
were reported to the U.S. Navy. The picture below
was forwarded to the New England Aquarium for
identification of individuals. Not only was the mother
identified as #1503, but the calf count was increased
by one that day. Right whale #1503 was seen by an
aerial survey team a couple times earlier in the
season, but never with a calf. Thanks to the
promptness of the Blairs and the willingness of the
Tiptons to open their home to a program coordinator
and her curious 11-month-old son, we know a little
more about another right whale that visited Florida
during the winter! Ms. Rayl, who was visiting from
Canton, Michigan, for only two days, had quite a story
to share when she returned home!
Next article: Surfers Learn 500-Yard Rule Hard Way
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