Blue Whale Named Hook Overcomes Adversity

Just like us humans, even the world's largest mammals have handicaps.

Dana Point Whale Watching passengers aboard Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari encountered a handicapped blue whale last weekend. They witnessed a blue whale, nicknamed Hook, off Dana Point, lunge feeding at the surface on krill. Krill is a tiny, shrimp-like crustacean, consumed by blue whales in amounts of up to 4 tons a day.

Hook has become a passenger and crew favorite. Its left tail fluke is mostly missing, possibly sheared off by a large boat propeller, according to the crew.

But that hasn't slowed Hook down!

Despite its partially missing tail fluke, Hook is a healthy looking mammal--and much to the delight of those whale watching passengers, it likes to show off nearly every time it dives.