Whale feared dead after horrific injury makes astonishing return months later

A young humpback whale feared dead after a severe dorsal injury has reappeared months later in Puget Sound, easing worries from the marine community. The 2-year-old female known as Skipper had watchers concerned after a deep wound exposed blubber behind her dorsal fin, with her last confirmed sighting on Dec. 6 near Orcas Island, Washington. This week, a whale-watching boat spotted her breaching and diving on Monday, according to Castanet Kamloops. Observers cited fall photographs showing what some researchers described as among the worst injuries they had seen, and past concerns that Skipper might have been hit by a Hullo ferry, which left survival through winter uncertain. Erin Gless of the Pacific Whale Watch Association said breaching and diving are behaviors associated with being healthy, calling it a “real gauntlet” for humpbacks navigating busy corridors during migration. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Catriona Day urged caution and emphasized buffer distances for boaters.