WAILUKU >> Federal officials say they have been unable to locate the distressed humpback whale seen off south Maui earlier this week. Distressed whale
still missingThe humpback was seen off Maui
with lice and cuts on its bodyBy Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.comDavid Matilla, science and rescue coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said based on descriptions, the young whale did not seem in good shape.
Matilla said young whales get battered and scarred in their early years, but what seemed troubling about the descriptions of the young whale was the growth of lice on its body, indicating his condition was poor.
A couple of vessels saw the humpback with cuts across its body, apparently from either a collision from a propeller vessel or entanglement in ropes, said Greg Kaufman, president of the Pacific Whale Foundation.
"Whale lice were observed in proliferation just below the whale's midline," Kaufman said.
Kaufman said he was on the foundation's vessel Ocean Spirit about 2:20 p.m. Sunday when he saw the humpback about 1.5 miles west southwest of Polo Beach in south Maui.
He said the whale's movement seemed labored and the animal appeared to be dragging its tail.
Kaufman said the whale was later seen 3/4 mile west-southwest of Maalaea Harbor and heading toward Lanai.
Another foundation vessel, Ocean Odyssey, also observed the young whale later in the day, he said.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary