A surprising visit was recorded in the Port of Santoña (Cantabria) last Saturday at dusk, when an imposing humpback whale entered the port area. This sighting is historic, since it is the first time that a whale has been seen entering the waters of the Port of Santoña, as confirmed by Miguel Fernández, president of the Brotherhood of the Port of Santoña.
The sighting generated uncertainty among those who witnessed the unusual event, since it is not common and it is difficult to know the reasons. “We don’t know if entering the Port is a sign that she is sick, that something is happening to her,” said Miguel Fernández. For this reason, the Stranding Network of the Government of Cantabria is on alert to follow the path of the cetacean and determine its state of health.
Diego de Vallejo, representative of the surveillance network, urged the community to remain alert for possible additional sightings. De Vallejo highlighted the importance of informing 112 in case of new observations, to avoid a massive effect of boat calls that could disturb the animal.
According to Revarca, the humpback whale was previously sighted off the coast of the Basque Country, surrounded by more than a hundred pilot whales. This cetacean, which measures between 12 and 16 meters, is common in the area and usually appears once or twice a year in the Cantabrian Sea.
It should be noted that humpback whales are recognized for their acrobatics and great leaps out of the water, especially during the breeding season.
