Sighted in Brazil, a specimen of whale, previously identified in Península Valdés by the Whale Conservation Institute (ICB), has been recorded in Brazil by the team of the Whale Lighthouse Project (GERMARS).
This is whale number 5593 from the ICB/OA catalog, which they have nicknamed “Warrior”. This animal shows scars caused by entanglement with fishing nets and ropes, one of the greatest threats facing this species.
The confirmation of the sighting occurred when researcher Ticiana Fetterman, from the Group of Aquatic Mammal Studies of Rio Grande do Sul (GEMARS), shared with the ICB’s photo-identification team an image captured on June 22, 2025, in Brazilian waters.
The match was made thanks to the pattern of its callosities and a distinctive wound on the caudal peduncle, confirming that it was the same animal already registered in Península Valdés. This sighting constitutes the first record of “Warrior” in Brazil.
Sighting in Brazil of “Warrior”
Ticiana Fetterman commented: “It was very interesting to record this whale because of the particularity of its callosities and its large wound, which is probably the result of entanglement.
Between researchers from Argentina and Brazil, we decided to call her Warrior, as a symbol of her strength to survive despite the wounds, and also to reflect the connection between Brazil and Argentina, because whales unite our countries”.
“Warrior’s” history dates back to 2019 when she was first photographed with a drone in the Nuevo Gulf by ICB researcher Nicolás Lewin, as part of the “Measuring Whales” project.
The analysis of the images revealed that she was an individual not previously registered, so she was added to the catalog with number 5593. Her wound on the peduncle, deep and already healed, was observed again in the years 2021 and 2023, showing clear signs of a possible entanglement with fishing gear.
Regarding this, Dr. Carina Marón, a researcher at the ICB, recalled: “When Ticiana, from the GEMARS group, shared the photo of this whale with very few callosities on her head and a deep wound on the left flank of the caudal peduncle, I remembered a similar whale that we had photographed with a drone in previous years.
The joy was immense to know that she is still well, despite those scars that are a reflection of the negative impact of human activities, such as the incidental or intentional discarding of fishing nets and ropes in the sea”.
During 2025, “Warrior” was sighted on at least seven different occasions in the coastal waters of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. In all these observations, she was seen interacting with groups of mothers and calves or with other solitary individuals.
Additionally, she exhibited active behavior, making movements like hitting the water surface with her caudal fin.
The ICB emphasized that: “Warrior’s story reminds us that the conservation of southern right whales requires a joint and continuous effort along their migratory route, from the coasts of Argentina to Brazil.
Her ability to survive human impacts makes her a symbol of resilience and inspires us to strengthen international cooperation, reinforce protection measures, and ensure that future generations can continue learning about these species”.
Finally, the ICB expressed its gratitude to the teams from Argentina and Brazil for their contributions to photo-identification and photogrammetry studies. A special mention was made to the researchers, students, and volunteers who collaborate in binational projects like “Measuring Whales” and “Whale Lighthouse”.
Source: Whale Conservation Institute
