Humpback whales are free after swimming in a crocodile-affected river in Australia

09/21/2020 World


It all started when three humpback whales entered the East Alligator River in Cucumber National Park. A spokesman for the park, located in Australia’s Northern Territory, said they were spotted last Tuesday, a week after entering the river.

The other two whales were thought to have left the area – but one whale was found stuck in a river with a large number of saltwater crocodiles.

“After inspecting the whales this weekend, we are delighted to see Kakadu enter the East Alligator River and into the Van Dyman Gulf,” Fuchs Moyle, the park’s country and culture department manager, said in a statement Monday. .

“Whale has been on high tide this weekend and we are happy that it is in good condition and not suffering any side effects,” Moyle added, thanking officials at the state, local and indigenous levels for their cooperation. “This is a very unusual situation.”

The senior scientist of the state government, Dr. Carol Palmer called the whale’s rescue “great news.”

“It has been wonderful to work with expert scientists to identify ways to help whales, as well as staff at Cucumber, but I’m glad it has found its own way,” Palmer said in a park statement. “This is the very best result we can expect.”

After three humpback whales entered the East Alligator River in the Northern Territory of Australia, an exclusion zone was placed in Cucumber National Park.

Confused during the migration, the whale was apparently trapped, the national park said. “As far as we know, this is the first time this has happened,” he said in a statement last week.

The park said it was concerned about many dangers – apart from the crocodile, there is also the possibility of a boat colliding with a whale or inadvertently pushing it towards the river.

However, the park added last week, the whales did not appear to be in trouble.

Saltwater crocodiles are a surprise prey known to attack and kill humans. Despite their name, they can also find a river 100 miles (161 kilometers) above sea level in freshwater habitats.

A humpback whale is trapped in a crocodile-affected river after taking the wrong turn

According to the park’s guide to visitors, crocodiles can stay hidden under water for longer and move with great stealth and camouflage. They act fast and are known to move at speeds of 40 feet (12.1 meters) per second while capturing prey over short distances.

Between April and November each year, the east coast of Australia is full of humpback whale migration; Before animals migrate to tropical waters to breed and give birth, eat summer in Antarctic waters. Most humpbacks near Australia migrate back to the South Seas from September to November, according to the Australian Ministry of the Environment.
The Park, Australia’s largest national park, is dual-listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage List for its remaining natural and cultural values, according to the park’s website.

CNN’s Leanne Colliery contributed to this report.

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