The famous Christmas Whales of Springdale is a wonderful story of the community coming together to help a group of whales trapped in the ice of the harbour. They created breathing holes for the whales to breath, but it soon became apparent is was going to be a huge undertaking to free them completely from the thick pack ice.
Ventienaies, animal behaviourist, National Geographic, and more from the media went out to record this event. This is an amazing story from CBC’s Land & Sea (which is a Newfoundland staple).
From this encounter, scientists learned more about echolocation and whale communication, which was just a theory before then. Whale greeting and Whale behaviour were studied by hundreds of people in the area and the understanding of Whales blew up thanks to the people of Springdale.
The Narwhal, which was a part of the whales stuck in the ice was a gem, up until now a Narwhal has never survived captivity. Many different organizations wanted to use the situation to further the understanding of the animal. The community banned together to protest to capture the Narwhal, and then it continued its freedom.
April of 1978 they all made their way out to the open sea. Three Humpbacks and one Narwhal swam back to the wide ocean.
Today it’s a Christmas tradition for the town to rally together, the annual Night on the Point is a celebration of the community and its history on this day.
3 Responses
OK you know how there’s fact checkers everywhere the narwhale did not make it back out to see happily and healthy the young baby narwhale was removed from the hole in the ice and placed in a tank which it later died so you need to get your facts straight that narwhale did not survive and swim out to see with the other humpback whales It’s actually sitting on the wall in Heritage Museum in Springdale
It was right outside my window.morning showed a space of black water through ice apparently someone went through the ice. Someone did. Whales. Patiently Waiting their turn to Breathe, I was trying to remember how long they were stuck.
Whale House Guest House offers luxury boutique private suites with outdoor hot tubs overlooking humpback whale feeding grounds. Located next to the east coast trail in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, just 30 min from downtown St. John’s.
3 Responses
OK you know how there’s fact checkers everywhere the narwhale did not make it back out to see happily and healthy the young baby narwhale was removed from the hole in the ice and placed in a tank which it later died so you need to get your facts straight that narwhale did not survive and swim out to see with the other humpback whales It’s actually sitting on the wall in Heritage Museum in Springdale
Oh, gesh, thanks for letting me know. You wouldn’t happen to have a photo of that would you? I’ll remember to take a look next time I’m in that area.
Thanks again!
It was right outside my window.morning showed a space of black water through ice apparently someone went through the ice. Someone did. Whales. Patiently Waiting their turn to Breathe, I was trying to remember how long they were stuck.