Popular whale spotted after being feared dead

CAPE COD — Echo the humpback was spotted last weekend to the delight of local naturalists who had fearing that she was dead.

In September Echo, who is one of the most well-known whales in New England, became seriously entangled in fishing gear. After that, she wasn’t spotted again.

"We were worried that she had a lethal injury,” said Director of Marine Education and Conservation for Boston Harbor Cruises Laura Howes.

Last Saturday, Howes headed out with the Aquarium's first whale watch of the season along the north of the tip of Cape Cod.

New England Aquarium said several right whales were spotted first, and then a humpback whale. As a trio of whales came near the vessel and started swimming around it, Howes began recognizing the whales based on their unique coloring on their dorsal and tail fin. Among the whales was Echo, spotted for the first time in six months.

Laura Lilly, a second naturalist on board, cheered in excitement, "She's alive!"

"Echo definitely has some new scars, but it was such a relief to see her back, especially so early in the season!" said Howes.

Echo was first seen at Stellwagen in 1988.

Cox Media Group