Bremer’s new orca calf seen

A new killer whale calf, sighted in waters near the Bremer Canyon, has been captured in rare drone footage.

Curtin University researcher Rebecca Wellard spotted the calf while conducting research surveys in the Bremer Sub-Basin with Ceteacean Research WA and Killer Whales Australia.

The new calf, which was sighted last week, has been named DC in honour of WA chief wildlife officer Doug Coughran who died last week.

CASA licenced drone pilot Pierce Cullen captured the drone footage of DC with the new calf’s mother, Kali.

The footage, collected under Commonwealth permit, shows a rare sight of the calf suckling.

Kali has been catalogued by Project ORCA since 2016.

Ms Wellard said the last time a new calf was spotted in the Bremer sub-basin was March last year.