In late March, an unexpected sighting occurred in Sitka Sound, located just south of Inner Point, where a marine biologist, while conducting routine whale observations, encountered an unusual marine presence. Initially out to observe humpback and gray whales, the team noted a different kind of whale surfacing that did not match the usual characteristics. Two photographs captured from distinct angles seemed to depict the head of a whale, but it bore odd features not typical of the known local species.
Upon returning to the office, the biologist, who is a research faculty member of marine biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, based in Sitka, sought a second opinion. The photographs circulated among experts, eventually reaching a marine biologist at the Marine Mammal Laboratory for the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. Confirmation came that the whale was a young bowhead, an uncommon sight for the region, as these whales are typically migrating north from the Bering Sea around this time of year.
The condition of the juvenile bowhead whale remains uncertain, and local mariners are encouraged to keep watch for further sightings. Such observations could be crucial for understanding this unusual presence in southern waters and its implications for marine life adjustments to environmental changes. The sighting has also reignited discussions about marine animal migration patterns and their adaptability.
