VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Whale watching was today's favourite Vancouver activity! Curious people were lining False Creek Bridges and the Seawall early this afternoon, hoping to catch a glimpse of a small Grey whale.
The whale was first spotted by boaters, moving between Science World and the Burrard Street Bridge. Coast Guard boats, along with researchers from the Vancouver Aquarium, were out on False Creek
protecting the whale.
The whale was in the water between the Cambie Bridge and Science World around 1:45 p.m. After 2:00 p.m., the whale moved west past the Cambie Bridge, and at 2:30, the whale floated past the Burrard Bridge to less populated waters. The Coast Guard had smaller zodiac boats patrolling, and were asking all other boats to stay away from the whale, if they encountered it.
Today's whale sightings come just a few days after similar reports in Howe Sound near Squamish this weekend. This is usually the time of year when whales arrive in northern waters, after wintering off the coast of Mexico. However, Grey Whale sightings are extremely rare.
The whale was escorted out to sea by the Coast Guard but we received several calls saying the whale had returned to the False Creek area.