Meet the Australian whales

In September 2022, researchers from Macquarie University and the University of Western Australia, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau, Australian Antarctic Division and US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, put satellite tags on southern right whales in Western Australia. Below you can meet the whales, see their tracks, and learn the significance of the names that they have been gifted by Indigenous groups.

Data is for public awareness only. Permission for use of data for scientific/management purposes must be given by data holders. Please contact e.carroll@auckland.ac.nz for more information.

Yilberup

Yilberup is a mother with a calf that was tagged off Cheyne Beach, Western Australia, on 16 September 2022. Yilberup (Mount Manypeaks) is the mother of the sisters Twertup and Moolyup (little hill). Their story is key in the Creation of the hills and fresh water lake systems from the Stirling Range to Cheyne Beach. The Manypeaks region is the mountain range adjacent to Cheynes Beach, where some of the research for Mirnong Maat (Whale Journey) is conducted. Mount Manypeaks (Waychinicup National Park) is a special area where Waychinicup is located. This region is a reserve for the endangered noisy scrub bird and the world’s most endangered marsupial, Gilbert’s potoroo. Gratitude to Lynette Knapp, a Merningar descendent and Elder, and daughter Shandell for the naming of Yilberup.

Wandinyil-mirnong

Wandinyil-mirnong is an adult southern right whale that was tagged of Cheyne Beach, Western Australia, on 19 September 2022. Wandinyil-mirnong [Wand-an-yil-mer-nong] was known as Tommy King, which is one of Tommy’s many names. Wandinyil-mirnong means; Wand= peppermint tree, in= ‘an’ kept, Yil= hill, meaning an abundance of peppermint trees on the hill. Mirnong is Merningar for whale. Wandinyil-mirnong made the first written land claim for Aboriginal men and their descendants, written up at the Albany town hall. Gratitude to Lynette Knapp, a Merningar descendent and Elder, and daughter Shandell for the naming of Wandinyil-mirnong.

Nebinyan

Nebinyan is an adult southern right whale that was tagged of Cheyne Beach, Western Australia, on 19 September 2022. Nebinyan was named for a man, born around 1840, known as the “whale man”. He was an Aboriginal whaler at Two Peoples Bay, east of Albany, his territory. Whaling began here in 1842, and Nebinyan became a staff member and whaler of this colonial industry. During the whaling era, whales were killed for their blubber and baleen and the meat was then able to be consumed between the two cultures. Nebinyan was also a songman, and was known for his songs. Gratitude to Lynette Knapp, a Merningar descendent and Elder, and daughter Shandell for the naming of Nebinyan.

Augusta whale 1

This is an adult whale that was tagged off Augusta, Western Australia, on 11 September 2022

Augusta whale 2

This is an adult whale that was tagged Augusta, Western Australia, on 9 September 2022.