Aria (2022 calf of Fran) @81708

"Aria" is the 2022 Calf of Fran and granddaughter of River aka Big Fin CRC-9019. She is known to be female based on a photo in June of 2022 of her hemispherical lobe. Aria was orphaned in late August 2022 when her mother Fran was killed by a ship strike. The name “Aria”, means a beautiful tune or melody, typically legato and smooth. This translates to the humpbacks’ singing voice and also symbolizes her life as a wonderful melody. Aria also means lioness. A lioness symbolizes strength and gracefulness as it moves through the African savanna. In the same way, Fran’s calf elegantly moves through the water, and the orca marks tell the story of her strength and courage. Aria was named and adopted by Anahit (Aeon) Bashir from Aeon for Ocean. From August 2022, all who knew and grieved for Fran's loss waited for months and hoped for any sign that Aria survived her mother's untimely death. She was encountered in April 2023 with much celebration as it was realized that Aria had survived the traumatic loss of her mother eight months earlier -- read a Mercury News story about Aria here. Aria's survival has continued to excite and bring smiles. As of late 2024, Aria is a sub-adult who continues to be encountered in Monterey Bay just as her mother did when she was young in the mid-2000s. Aria's story with her mother Fran, and efforts to reduce ship strike risk for whales, were featured on CBS Sunday Morning in October 2024.

Monterey Bay · North Pacific