Rare calf caught on camera

A rare white southern right calf has been spotted off the south coast.

Alice Reddington made the discovery at Point Ann, near Bremer Bay, last week, capturing the calf playing in the Southern Ocean with its mother. It was again captured on camera by Scott Moir off Bluff Creek, east of Cheyne Beach, last weekend.

Wildlife researchers believe the unusual colour is caused by white pigmentation in calves, which often disappears as the animal matures.

It is believed white southern right whales make up about 5 per cent of the species’ population.