The right whale dived frequently off Leighton Beach this morning.
Camera IconThe right whale dived frequently off Leighton Beach this morning. Credit: Supplied/Jon Bassett

Solitary southern right whale spotted frolicking in waters off Mosman Park and Leighton dog beaches

Jon BassettWestern Suburbs Weekly

A SOLITARY southern right whale delighted early morning walkers when it quickly swam about 300m offshore past Mosman Park and Leighton dog beaches towards Fremantle about 7am this morning.

Those on the costal path and beaches could see the endangered mammal’s spout from taking a breath and its broad tail flukes when it frequently dived.

The right whale dived frequently off Leighton Beach this morning. Jon Bassett
Camera IconThe right whale dived frequently off Leighton Beach this morning. Jon Bassett Credit: Supplied/Supplied
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The species was named because its slow swimming speed made them the ‘right’ target for harpooning by land-based rowing boats, before hunting reduced an estimated 100,000-strong population in the southern hemisphere to currently about 12,000.

Males of the species lead their annual migration from Antarctica to northern waters to breed, and the animals will return south in spring when mothers with young calves are often seen resting in shallow water.

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