Authorities have issued a warning to avoid a uncommon "white" whale calf noticed alongside its mom off the NSW coast.
NSW Nationwide Parks and Wildlife Service stated 4 pairs of mom and calf southern proper whales had been seen throughout winter, together with the uncommon calf that appeared white, considerably resembling the well-known humpback Migaloo.
"The calf seems to be white however is definitely brindle," NPWS marine wildlife workforce venture officer Andrew Marshall stated in a press release.
"Its white areas will darken to gray because it ages — it is one in every of round one-in-30 southern proper whale calves born with brindle colouring.
"This can be a uncommon occasion to see a nearly white brindle calf, as southern proper whales are largely very darkish, though some have splashes of white known as a blaze."
The mom and its calf had been captured on digital camera through a drone.
"If you happen to look carefully on the video you can even see pale gray areas on the mom, who additionally carries the recessive brindle gene," Marshall stated.
Whereas the duo have sparked a social media frenzy, authorities are reminding those that it is unlawful to method whales any nearer than 300 metres when a calf is current.
The restrictions embody through boats, surfboards, paddleboards and kayaks, whereas drones are additionally legally required to remain a minimum of 100 metres above the animals.
Gorgeous imaginative and prescient of the mom and calf was captured off the south coast just lately by accredited drone volunteer Maree Jackson from the NSW authorities's Proper Whale ID analysis program.
Jackson used her digital camera's 7x optical zoom perform from above the authorized peak to seize the beautiful close-ups because the "white" calf surfaced for a breath whereas swimming alongside its mom.
"Curious onlookers are reminded to maintain again and provides the nursing mom and calf area to relaxation undisturbed," Marshall stated.
"A calf wants as much as 300 litres of milk a day to achieve the load wanted for the 5000-kilometre swim again right down to Antarctic waters within the coming month, so each the mom and calf must be left alone to allow them to relaxation and really feel secure."