VIDEO: Right whale is caught breastfeeding its calf in a rare sighting off the coast of SP

Rare sighting: Right whale seen breastfeeding its calf on the coast of SP A southern right whale was spotted breastfeeding its calf in the waters of Ilhabela, on the North Coast of São Paulo, this Wednesday morning (15). The species is considered one of the largest present on the Brazilian coast, reaching 18 meters in length. The recording was made in the Ilhabela Channel, around 10 am, by the businessman in the nautical tourism sector and whale watcher, Marcos Cará. Interviewed by g1, the biologist and executive director of the Argonauta Institute, Carla Beatriz Barbosa, explained that the southern right whale is uncommon on the coast of São Paulo and tends to be seen more frequently in the southern region of Brazil. ? Click here to follow the g1 Vale do Paraíba channel and region on WhatsApp "They go to the southern region, more towards Santa Catarina, for this behavior of feeding their young, for the birth of the young. However, some individuals reach further up, either by the current, or by a slightly greater displacement", he said. Rare sighting: Right whale is seen breastfeeding its calf on the coast of SP. Marcos Cará/Maremar Turismo According to Viva Instituto Verde Azul, since 2020, only 25 sightings of southern right whales have been recorded on the coast of São Paulo. Of these, 16 were females accompanied by cubs. Although sightings are not as common as humpbacks in the region, the winter season is marked as a period in which these animals have a migratory flow. According to Carla, the pattern of barnacles, small crustaceans that adhere to the whales' skin, helps researchers identify individuals. "These barnacles on the head can identify individuals. Unlike humpbacks, which we sometimes identify on their tails," he said. Experts advise that, when spotting whales, people keep their distance and avoid making noise. In the case of boats, the recommendation is to reduce speed, not surround the animals and not interfere with their movement. Rare sighting: Right whale is seen breastfeeding its calf on the coast of SP. Marcos Cará/Maremar Turismo *Intern under the supervision of Alice Aires See more news from Vale do Paraíba and the Bragantina region