Valla Beach the ‘right’ place for whale birth

For the first time in 13 years a southern right whale has given birth off a Mid North Coast beach.

Earlier this week (7th) the whale chose Valla Beach to give birth to a healthy calf.

The mother and baby were spotted close to shore on Monday by National Parks rangers.

According to an Environment and Climate Change department spokesperson, the birth was a

significant event.

The birth of a southern right in NSW is infrequent and rare, he said.

Southern right whales generally give birth in South Australia, around the Great Australian Bight, he said.

But, it is not unheard of them to calve off the the state’s North Coast, while births have been recorded in and around Sydney.

While he could not say exactly when the calf was born, the birth did take place within 24 hours from Monday.

Valla Beach locals were thrilled to see the whale and her calf, he said.

On Tuesday, the mother and calf were observed moving towards Sawtell.

“If they are not disturbed, they are likely to stay in the area for a few days.

“Following the birth both

mother and calf will need to recover; the calf needs to learn to swim and suckle and the mother needs to rest before moving south again.

“It is important people give them plenty of space.”

He said whales swim at a speed of about 2-3 knots, and could clock up to 100km a day.