Last Monday morning (25), Praia de Itapuã, in Vila Velha (ES), became the stage for a rare spectacle. Tourists and locals were treated to the sight of two southern right whales swimming close to shore.
The encounter was captured by photographer and filmmaker Lucas Silveira, who used a drone to record the moment. According to people present, the pair appeared to be a mother and her calf.
Experts point out that such an event is unusual, as the southern right whale is considered an endangered species and generally follows other migratory routes during its journey across the Atlantic.
About the species
The southern right whale can reach an impressive 18 meters in length and weigh around 70 tons. Easily recognized by its robust body and the absence of a dorsal fin, it also features white patches on its head known as callosities, which are unique to each individual—like a fingerprint.
These giants of the sea migrate between feeding and breeding areas, mainly feeding on krill and small crustaceans, which they filter through their baleen plates.
Other recent sightings
On Saturday (26), a very different scene drew attention along the coast of São Paulo. A juvenile minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), measuring about 4 meters, was found dead on Praia das Ruínas, in Peruíbe. The animal was already in an advanced state of decomposition.
Biopesca technicians were called to the site, isolated the area, and carried out the necessary procedures according to established protocols for this type of occurrence.
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