This is the incredible moment a giant gray whale gives birth in front of a happy group of whale watchers.
The woman, lying on the ground, was spotted on Monday near Dana Point, California, south of Los Angeles.
But suddenly her baby joins her, comes out of the bloody water and happily swims around her.
The amazing scenes unfolded just meters away from the boat of a group of whale watchers who watched the spectacle in awe.
The passengers on the boat that capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari, looked shocked and surprised as they watched
Whale watchers in Southern California witnessed the birth of a gray whale just a short distance from their boat on Monday
A woman who was on the boat and witnessed the birth said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Passengers were first informed of the birth when they saw blood in the water and thought the whale might have been injured.
However, the group soon realized that the 35-foot whale was actually going to give birth.
The boat’s captain, Gary Brighouse, said the whole trip became festive after the realization hit.
The passengers on the boat that capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari said the captain appeared shocked and surprised.
“The range of emotions could not have been greater,” Brighouse said in an interview with the Orange County Register.
“It went from horror to pure joy and surprise,” the captain continued. “It hit me to the core.”
Gray whales, like the one caught on camera, are often seen in southern California as they make their winter journey from Alaska to Mexico to warmer waters.
However, births caught on camera are rare.
“As far as I know, no one has ever filmed or even seen a gray whale,” said Dave Anderson, the owner of Capt. Dave’s
Brighouse also described the group as “happy” to witness such a spectacle, but also shared how he and others were concerned about their proximity.
“We said, ‘Wait a minute, don’t get too close. This mother wants to protect you,” Brighouse said.
“Mom slipped quietly between the baby and the boat, she rubbed our boat and our boat came out of the water, which was a bit disturbing,” he said.
The spectacle took place near Dana Point, California, just south of Los Angeles
A woman who was on the boat and witnessed the birth said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing”
Gray whales like the one caught on camera are often spotted in southern California as they make their winter journey from Alaska to Mexico to warmer waters
Stacie Fox, who was on the boat to take pictures of the birth, said she was thrilled to witness the birth and described it as a once in a lifetime experience.
“I cried myself, I was so excited,” Fox said. “I definitely thought it was something I wouldn’t see if I didn’t go to the lagoon. It’s like once in a lifetime.”
Others on the boat seemed to agree.
In a video posted on YouTube on Tuesday, a woman can be heard screaming “Oh my god, oh my god” as she gives birth.
The video by Capt. Dave’s, has been viewed over 18,000 times. Comments on the post piled up and viewers shared the joy the video brought them.
“I’ve had some great whale sightings with Captain Dave’s and on Maui, but this will top them all! Happy mom, happy calf,” said one YouTube commenter. ‘OMG! I just bought my tickets,” wrote another.
One person who was on the boat celebrating his birthday suggested to the group that the calf shares his name “Severin” as they share a birthday.
Brighouse also described the group as “happy” to witness such a spectacle, but also shared how he and others were concerned about their proximity.
In a video posted on YouTube on Tuesday, a woman can be heard screaming “Oh my god, oh my god” as she gives birth
According to the Orange County Register, the group agreed.
The Monday trip on the water was the first of the year for the shipping company due to rocky water on New Year’s Day. Another boat captain who arrived at the scene described it
“When we came back, we saw the newborn calf just a few minutes old,” Moore said. The mother gently lifted the calf to breathe as the calf appeared to rest on her back.
“Once again we could see the calf’s limp tail as this newborn calf was learning to swim.”
Researchers have been keeping a close eye on the West Coast gray whale species for the past few years.
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, an alarming number of whales have washed ashore dead.
Many of the whales look starved and emaciated. In 2020, 172 washed up on the coast from Canada to Mexico. In 2021 there were 115 and in 2022 104 incidents.
Scientists continue to observe the species, which was nearly extinct in the 19th century but has since enjoyed a healthy resurgence thanks to conservation efforts in the 1930s and 1940s.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration estimates that there are currently approximately 17,000 gray whales in the world. However, this number is almost 10,000 lower compared to 2016.
Tourists took numerous photos and videos of the whales in the water
Gray whale births caught on camera are rare
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
