Endangered whale spotted off the coast of Chile

VALPARAÍSO.- Thanks to timely notice from volunteer members of the Chilean Marine Mammal Sighting Network (RAMMC), organized by the Whale Conservation Center, new information has come to light this week concerning the presence of a Franca Austral whale mother and calf off the coast of the Region of Valparaíso.

The population of this particular species in Chile and Peru has been classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature this year.

"An excellent example of an adult female Franca Austral whale with a calf some 8 meters long was spotted off the coast of Algarrobo between the morning hours and noon of Friday, November 21st", announced José Luis Brito, who is the Curator for the Municipal Museum of Natural Science and Archeology in San Antonio.

"The San Antonio National Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA) and the Whale Conservation Center were quickly notified to record the sighting in the species database for Chile", stated Brito.

Meanwhile, the Captain of the Port of Algarrobo, Hermes Valdebonito Jamett, indicated that "the sighting of the two Franca Austral whales was a great surprise and provoked much joy for those who were able to witness their presence".