{"id":170515,"date":"2025-09-26T14:12:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/170515\/"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:12:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:12:06","slug":"aussie-friends-capture-breathtaking-encounter-during-girls-getaway-super-rare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/170515\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie friends capture ‘breathtaking’ encounter during girls’ getaway: ‘Super rare’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A group of friends enjoying a \u201cgirls\u2019 getaway\u201d were treated to a \u201csuper rare\u201d sight last weekend while strolling along an iconic jetty that stretches almost 2km into the ocean.<\/p>\n

Last Saturday, Megan Wood, Sophia Fuimaono, Toneya Scafidi, and Ainsley Tierney were lapping up a long brunch in the popular tourist town of Busselton, about two-and-a-half hours south of their homes in Perth<\/a>, when a lively debate erupted.<\/p>\n

The four mates were admiring a pod of dolphins in Geographe Bay when Ainsley suggested they might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a whale on their walk on the Busselton jetty, given they are currently migrating along the coast.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe basically all rolled our eyes and told her that it\u2019s really unlikely!\u201d Megan told Yahoo News Australia.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/p>\n

The blue pygmy whale swimming slowly past the Busselton Jetty. Source: Megan Wood<\/p>\n

However, while wandering along the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere, much to their delight and surprise, Ainsley\u2019s prediction came true in a big way when a roughly 24-metre pygmy blue whale<\/a> suddenly appeared in the water below.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think it was real! I think we were in shock and awe,\u201d Megan said, noting the endangered and elusive species was less than 10 metres away from where they were standing. \u201cHe moved so gracefully and was so large. It was really breathtaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did immediately apologise to Ainsley for suggesting that there was no chance we would see a whale on the jetty. I was happy to be wrong in this instance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Viral video footage shows the large whale slowly gliding past the friends in the bright blue water, estimated to be about seven metres deep.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Busselton jetty is always quite busy, but at the time when it was right under us, there was only us and a couple who saw it at such close proximity,\u201d Ainsley explained to Yahoo. \u201cDuring the chance encounter, the couple declared, that\u2019s a blue whale!\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the witnesses were \u201cequally excited and in awe of the beauty of the pygmy blue whale\u201d, which the group of mates have since nicknamed Barry the blue, Ainsley added.<\/p>\n

In the days following the encounter, the four friends say they have \u201cbecome self-proclaimed experts in blue whale fun facts\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now know that even researchers who have been studying whales in that area for over 30 years have never seen one from the jetty. It\u2019s super rare!\u201d Megan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all so happy, this entire experience has been incredible, and we\u2019re so glad we could share such uplifting news with millions of people!\u201d<\/p>\n

Witnesses thrilled after pygmy blue whale swims close to shore<\/p>\n

In May, a group of tourists were treated to an incredible spectacle when a pygmy blue whale suddenly emerged just 15 metres from the shore at Cheynes Beach<\/a>, a popular stop-off for caravanners on WA\u2019s south coast.<\/p>\n

Brian Willey, a keen wildlife<\/a> photographer, was flying his drone, filming a humpback with his telephoto lens from the required 60 metre distance, when a much bigger whale suddenly \u201ccame around the corner\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cStraight away I could see it was a distinctive blue colour, and the length was much longer than a normal humpback,\u201d he told Yahoo. \u201cI followed it for about five minutes and took about a dozen photos. People were so excited to see such a huge whale so close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A group of tourists were treated to an incredible spectacle in May when a pygmy blue whale suddenly emerged from the water near Cheynes Beach. Source: Brian Willey<\/p>\n

‘Very little known’ about population sizes of pygmy blue whales<\/p>\n

Both pygmy blue whales and Antarctic blue whales, the two subspecies of blue whales found in Australia, can be found in the waters near Albany, Alexia Wellbelove, the Australian Marine Conservation Society\u2019s threatened species campaign manager, told Yahoo.<\/p>\n

Every year, endangered pygmy blue whales travel from southern and western Australia where they feed, up to Indonesia to breed \u2014 which is why they are also known as the ‘Indo-Australian pygmy blue whale\u2019, Wellbelove said. From September, they venture back down south, passing through Geographe Bay near Busselton.<\/p>\n

Incredibly, they can grow up to about 24 metres long and live for 90 years.<\/p>\n

Despite their stature, \u201cvery little is known about the population size of blue whales\u201d, Wellbelove told Yahoo. \u201cMuch more is known about the Antarctic blue whales, which were last estimated to be around 2,000 individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sadly, like most whales, they face a \u201cplethora of threats\u201d, including climate change impacting ocean temperatures and upwellings where they feed, and collisions with vessels involved in commercial, recreational or industrial activities.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, researchers were able to place satellite trackers on four pygmy blue whales migrating up the west coast. Source: AIMS<\/p>\n

Scientists’ incredible feat after spending week perched in boat<\/p>\n

However, efforts to learn more about their populations are underway, with a crew of researchers working tirelessly to attach \u201cstate-of-the-art\u201d satellite tags to four pygmy blue whales<\/a> in June. When the whales surface to breathe, the tags transmit data via satellite to a processing centre and then to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) for analysis.<\/p>\n

Dr Michele Thums, a research scientist for AIMS, told Yahoo News the tags were attached to the whales on their northern migration \u201cto see where they go, the routes they take and where they spend most of their time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tags we are using not only record the position of the whales, but also their diving behaviour along their migratory paths, allowing us to learn more about their foraging and feeding behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n

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