Yahoo News Fact Check: This Is a Genuine Close-Up Photo of a Humpback Whale's Eye
Claim:
A photograph circulating on social media genuinely shows a close-up view of a humpback whale’s eye.
Rating:
A photograph circulating on social media in October 2024 purported to show in dramatic detail the crisp, blue eye of a whale. Versions of the photo appeared on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X, including this Instagram post:
The image is authentic and was captured by self-described ocean advocate and photographer Rachel Moore, who confirmed to Snopes that she took the photograph near Tahiti on Oct. 6, 2024.
Dubbed "Sweet Girl," the humpback whale was estimated to be between three and four years old before she was struck and killed by a "fast-moving ship" two days after their encounter, according to Moore.
Moore served as a judge in the 2024 Ocean Conservancy's annual photo contest and was a finalist in the 2023 United Nations World Oceans photo competition. She was also appointed a 2022 ambassador for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Her underwater photography has been featured in publications like Forbes and The Atlantic.
The marine photographer originally shared the photo on Instagram on Oct. 8, 2024, and on her website.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1BJJzPNUY/?img_index=4
A description of the photo noted that the close-up images were "cropped in from the original frame." However, Moore did not identify the species of whale in her post, and Snopes reached out to her for more information, including where and when the photo was taken.
The Instagram caption read, in its entirety:
Galaxies in Her Eyes
There's much to be said about this season's encounters and swimming with whales in general. Over the years, I've noticed that many people come wanting to be seen with the whales, rather than truly see them.
Our goal should always be to respect these animals and their space, observing their behavior without disturbing it. Whales are here to rest, mate, give birth, and nourish their young. Chasing after them only drains the energy they need during their 6-8 month fast.
Swimming with these majestic beings is a privilege, and respecting their space is crucial—there's no need to chase after or force interactions. On rare occasions, whales may choose to interact on their own terms.
This moment of eye contact was beyond my wildest dreams. I've never encountered a whale like this one, and it was the most profoundly beautiful experience of my life.
*Both images are cropped in from the original frame.*
📷 Captured on @sonyalpha A1
Moore pointed Snopes to a highlight section of her Instagram page where she shared images of their interactions over two days in which she called "Sweet Girl" an "incredibly special whale."
"When I finally stopped swimming, she stopped. She wanted to be eye to eye," wrote Moore.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBZH9kSS1we/
Sources:
2023 Photo Competition - United Nations World Oceans Day. 8 June 2023, https://unworldoceansday.org/photos/2023-photo-competition/.
"About." RACHEL MOORE, https://www.rachelmoorephotos.com/about. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/paulrosolie/p/DA3lpnWRjUn/?img_index=5. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
---. https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1BJJzPNUY/?img_index=1. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
---. https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1BJJzPNUY/?img_index=4. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
"Meet the Judges (Photo Contest)." Ocean Conservancy, http://oceanconservancy.org/photocontest/photo-contest-judge-bios/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
"Portfolio." RACHEL MOORE, https://www.rachelmoorephotos.com/portfolio. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Rodriguez, Cecilia. "Beauty Under The Sea: 24 Photos From The Finalists For Ocean Photographer Of The Year." Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2023/08/24/beauty-under-the-sea-24-amazing-photos-finalists-for-ocean-photographer-of-the-year/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Taylor, Alan. Winners of Ocean Photographer of the Year 2023 - The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2023/09/winners-ocean-photographer-of-the-year-2023/675387/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.
Wormald, Sarah. Introducing the New 2022 PADI AmbassaDivers. 15 Feb. 2022, https://blog.padi.com/2022-padi-ambassadivers/.
