~ FOR GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR MARINE LIFE ~
WOUNDED WHALES
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For over a decade, Elding have been tracking the different whales we see on tours leaving from Reykjavík and Akureyri. We do this through photo identification. We can now recognise hundreds of humpback whales, for example, if they are seen on whale watching trips. Sometimes the whales we see have bigger scars from anthropogenic causes, predation or they may be carrying a disease. Through photo identification we can track these individuals over time to see how the injuries might be caused and then later healing.
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At Elding, we pay extra attention whenever we see a cetacean with injuries or illnesses. Through our research and collaborating with others, we can better understand the causes of these wounds and learn more about them. We can then consider conservation initiatives to understand how we can help. Thankfully, it is rare we see heavily inflicted whales but each time we do it is an opportunity to learn and help these whales.
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Here are some examples of humpback whales that we have seen with scars or diseases in Reykjavík and Akureyri in recent years.
March 2012
'Rusty'
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Nearly a decade and a half ago we saw this humpback with a serious skin infection. It was determined this was likely caused by a combination of diatoms (algae) and a severe lice infestation. This has then given the unusual brown colour to the whale. We have seen other individuals with similar conditions, including in the summer of 2023.
May 2016
'Holyfield'
Throughout May 2016 we sae Holyfield in Eyjafjörður. You may notice the ends of the fluke do not look the same as you would regularly see with humpback whales. Losing such large parts of the fluke, it could be assumed this loss is due to a boat strike of some description.
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​November 2017
'Tough Pella'
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In the latter part of 2017 in Akureyri we came across this heavily scarred humpback whale. The larger indents are like the result of a propeller hitting the humpback whale. Thankfully, it looks to have healed over very well but there may have also been internal damage. After the first sighting we saw this humpback whale regularly in the winter of 2017 and 2018.
August 2019
'Mr. X'
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Mr. X was seen in Akureyri in August and September of 2019. This picture shows the fluke towards the end of their stay in Eyjafjörður, where it has started to heal. The damage nearer the central part of the fluke is likely due to entanglement. This is where ropes have got stuck around the whale. This is often a result of fishing lines being loose or left behind and trapping whales. Luckily, Mr. X escaped from the ropes, but this doesn't always happen.
June 2023
'Mariupol'
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If you came whale watching in Reykjavík in 2021 or 2022 and saw a humpback whale, there is a very good chance you will have seen Mariupol. He was one of our most sighted individuals in these years. In those years Mariupol wouldn't have had the scarring on the right of the black part of the fluke. This happened before he returned in the summer of 2023. Again, this was unfortunately likely due to entanglement from ropes.​
May 2021
'Davy Jones II'
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Since 2021 Davy Jones II has been the most sighted individual in Faxaflói Bay. On the right of their fluke are 5 lines called 'rake marks'. These are left behind after an atatck by an orca. Some orcas will target humpback whale calves but we will never know when Davy Jones II recieved this scars as they have always had them since our first sighting. Their dorsal fin is also missing a bit, perhaps also from an orca attack.​
Photo credit: Daniele Orizio (@danieleorizio_pt)
​March 2025
Half of a Fluke
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In the afternoon tour on the 9th of March 2025 we saw this humpback whale. We have looked through our catalogue and it is not a humpback we had seen previously. The reason behind this individual losing half of their fluke is unknown but will likely be due to severe entanglement or a boat strike. Since the first sighting we have not seen this individual again, but we hope they are doing well. They did appear to be otherwise healthy during our sighting.