STORY: Rare southern right whale mother and calf spotted along Australia's eastern coast
DATELINE: Aug. 20, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:31
LOCATION: SYDNEY, Australia
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the whale and calf (courtesy of Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia)

STORYLINE:

A southern right whale mother and calf are spotted in waters along Australia's eastern coast.

The New South Wales (NSW) Environment and Heritage Group said on Sunday that it is believed the calf was born around July 25. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been tracking the pair since July 27 and called on the public to keep their distance to avoid disturbing the whales.

Southern right whales are an endangered species, with less than 270 in the southeast Australian population. This calf is one of the only two calves recorded in the state this year, according to the authorities.

NPWS also urged all watercraft, including vessels, surfers, jet skis to stay at least 300 meters away from the pair, and drones to be strictly prohibited within 100 meters of the whales, in all directions.

The authorities are monitoring the whales and boating activities in the area. NPWS is working with Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA), Gamay Rangers, Marine Rescue, police, Transport for NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW to ensure all water users are abiding by approach distance regulations.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Sydney, Australia.
(XHTV)