Right whales — a mother and calf — recently spotted off Ormond Beach

The Marineland Right Whale Project reported in a newsletter that the mother was identified as Platypus.

  • By Observer Staff
  • | 5:00 p.m. March 6, 2025
The 10th calf of the season, with its mother Platypus and a bottlenose dolphin, on Feb 23 in Ormond Beach. Photo courtesy of the Marine Right Whale Project/Zoe Rauscher, NOAA Permit #25652
The 10th calf of the season, with its mother Platypus and a bottlenose dolphin, on Feb 23 in Ormond Beach. Photo courtesy of the Marine Right Whale Project/Zoe Rauscher, NOAA Permit #25652
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A mother-calf pair of right whales was spotted close to shore off Ormond Beach on Sunday, Feb. 23.

The Marineland Right Whale Project reported in a newsletter that the mother was identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as Platypus. She had not been seen since Jan. 8 off Cumberland Island, when FWC spotted her without a calf, meaning she was pregnant at the time. 

Platypus' calf is the 10th of the season. 

Feb. 23 was an eventful day for right whale sightings, with a total of 15 whales spotted in Florida waters, MRWP reported. This figures includes four calves. 

Additionally, MRWP stated many humpback whales have been sighted this season, including one seen swimming south past Marineland on Feb. 26.

Whale sightings can be reported by calling the Right Whale Hotline at 1-888-979-4253.

 

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