Just like the human finger print the underside of a Humpback whales tail is unique to that animal. This gives us a wonderful way of identifying and tracking each animal.
In 2007 IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) launched the Humpback Icon Project that encourages Australian coastal communities to celebrate the annual Humpback whale migration by ‘adopting’ and naming a whale as their local whale icon.
The hope and aim in doing this is to bring Australian communities together and raise awareness of the threats still facing our whales and generate action to protect them.
Here is a list of the communities and their whales. Information provided by IFAW June 2010.
QLD
Burdekin – Galbol
Bundaberg – White Wolf
Burleigh – Coda
Cairns
Caloundra – Nelley
Coolum – Hope
Cowan Cowan – Wedgewood
Currumbin – Wendy
Gold Coast – Gumay Julum
Hervey Bay – Nala
Maroochyshire
Mermaid Beach – Popoose
Nobby Beach – White Wings
Noosa – Sunshine
Redland City Council
Stradbroke Island
Surfers Paradise – Moon Shark
NSW
Ballina
Brunswick Heads – Yolanda
Byron Bay – Yumbalehla
Clarence Valley – Yuraygir
Coffs Harbour – Janggalay
Eden – Jarnder
Eurobodalla
Fingal Head – Ghuri Jalgayn
Gosford – Turo
Great Lakes – Worimi
Leichhardt – Baraga
Manly – Gawura
Merimbula – Jambo
Mosman – Gamarada
Narooma – Naroo
Newcastle – Wittilliko
Pittwater – Kira
Port Macquarie – Magenta
Port Stephens – Panda
Richmond Valley – Jumigum
Randwick – Humphrey
Shoalhaven – Muriyira
South West Rocks – Nanggu Guwiyn Yalanggur
Sutherland Shire – Gawura
Sydney – Venus
Tweed Heads – My Auntie
Gympie Regional Council – Moon Dancer
Warringah – Kiah
Waverley – Liberty
Willoughby – Spout
Woollahra – Bo-a-millie
Wyong – Norah
VIC
Casey – Sweetheart
Williamstown SLSC
TAS
Marion Bay – Serenity
WA
Albany – Djinda
Bunbury
Busselton – Meelup
Carnarvon
Cambridge – Little Squirt
Exmouth – Elysium
Fremantle – Joya
North West Cape
Port Headland
Rottnest Island – Mamong
Stirling – Humpfree
Businesses
Basic Bananas