Blade Runner, the Injured North Pacific Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae

North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale. USA, Megaptera novaeangliae, natural history stock photograph, photo id 05909
North Pacific humpback whale showing extensive scarring, almost certainly from a boat propeller, on dorsal ridge. This female North Pacific humpback whale was first seen with the depicted lacerations near the island of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands in the mid-90s, and is the original humpback to bear the name 'Blade Runner'. This female has apparently recovered, as evidenced the calf she was observed nurturing. A South Pacific humpback whale endured a similar injury in Sydney Australia in 2001, and bears a remarkably similar scar pattern to the above-pictured whale. USA

This image is featured in: Heat Run: Humpback Whale Behavior Photos

Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05909
Format: Film 3:2
Keywords: animal, back, balaenopteridae, blade runner humpback whale, boat strike, boat strike propeller scar, cetacea, cetacean, creature, dorsal, dorsal fin, endangered, endangered threatened species, environmental issues problems, fin, hawaii, hawaiian islands, hawaiian islands humpback whale national marine sanctuary, hump back whale, humpback, humpback whale, humpback whales, humpbacked whale, injury, mammal, marine, marine mammal, maui, megaptera, megaptera novaeangliae, mysticete, mysticeti, national marine sanctuaries, nature, north pacific humpback whale, novaeangliae, ocean, oceans, pacific, research, rorqual, scar, sea, usa, whale, whale injury, wildlife, wound
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Copyright © Phillip Colla / HWRF, all rights reserved worldwide.
This professional quality stock photo can be licensed in high resolution form by contacting the photographer: Phillip Colla, photos@oceanlight.com, (760) 707-7153, more info and photographer bio.
This photograph was taken during Hawaii Whale Research Foundation research activities conducted under NOAA/NMFS and State of Hawaii permit. Its use is subject to certain restrictions. Please contact the photographer for more information.