SEKIU — Watchers along the Strait of Juan de Fuca made no sighting Monday of a young whale they had tried to rescue from a snarl of crabbing lines.
However, experts confirmed that the humpback was the same animal that Canadian spotters had seen near Tofino, British Columbia, in May and off Trial Island near Victoria in June.
John Calambokidis, director of Olympia-based Cascadia Research, said the identification was made through photographs of the whale’s distinctive markings.
He said he had no idea where the animal might have gone after eluding watchers Sunday morning.
“There has been no sighting today,” Calambokidis said.
He was optimistic, though, over its fate.
“I think the animal is still kicking around. The fact it hasn’t been seen doesn’t mean it’s dead.”
