SYDNEY, Sept 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A trio of humpback whales — usually bound for
Antarctica this time of year — took a wrong turn, heading up a crocodile-
infested north Australian river with scientists hoping Saturday they will all
return to the sea safely.
Two of the creatures, first seen in the East Alligator River in Kakadu National
Park earlier this week, are already believed to have gone back to the sea, Parks
Australia said.
But authorities were still monitoring at least one whale, spotted about 20
kilometres (12.4 miles) up the river on Saturday, Kakadu National Park manager
of country and culture section Feach Moyle told AFP.
“The most likely explanation is that they were heading back down south and took
a wrong turn,” Moyle said.
“It’s a bit difficult to tell if there’s one or two there,” he added, with the
river’s muddy colour making identification hard.
Although whales are sometimes seen off the Northern Territory coast, it is
believed to be the first time one has been spotted in the tropical rivers of the
huge world heritage-listed nature reserve, he said.
Park authorities have set up a partial exclusion zone to protect unwitting
boaters and any remaining whales, which can grow up to 16 metres long and weigh
30 tonnes.
“The last thing we want is a collision between a boat and whale in waters where
crocodiles are prevalent and visibility underwater is zero,” Parks Australia
said.
There were also concerns about boats forcing the creatures further up the
river.
Although in prime croc country, the saltwater reptiles did not pose a major
threat to humpbacks due to their size, Moyle said.
“Even a big croc is not going to tangle with them.”
The bigger issue was if a whale became stranded, with a dangerous rescue in
remote country making it hard to reach before the animal became “croc bait”, he
said.
“What we want to happen is, we get up in the helicopter tomorrow and then we
see them waving goodbye.”