The humpback whale identified in the Shannon estuary in late November appears to have taken up temporary residence in Irish waters.
As Clare FM reports, ships are slowing down to ensure they do not collide with it, thanks to warnings from the Shannon Foynes port office.
Humpback whales have been seen off West Kerry and Loop Head, Co Clare, but never inside the Shannon estuary, Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation told the radio station’s “Morning Focus” presenter, Alan Morrissey.
“We don’t really know how baleen whales find their food,” Dr Berrow explained.
He said he believed it is predominantly feeding off sprat, and he estimated that it could be here for another three weeks.
The 7.7 metre long whale is probably only one or two years old, and he said it is a “real mystery” as to how and why it is in the estuary.
He said it would be good to see how its body condition improves during a month in the area.
The whale was first sighted off the coast of Killimer on November 26th, and can be seen from land, Dr Berrow said.
Listen to the interview here
