Canopener
Female, Unit U

Born: <2005
Mother: Unknown

Born: <2005
Mother: Unknown

Canopener exudes a friendly, confident, and comfortable disposition that has made her a favorite among researchers and whale watchers in Dominica. She has been documented for over 17 years, and is recognizable by a handheld canopener-shaped bite in her right fluke. She shares her amicable personality by often approaching boats in a warm, welcoming manner. 

We had an extended encounter with Unit U in 2019 during which time we tracked Canopener and members of her social unit as they slept and periodically swam to relocate during breathing cycles. The younger whales seemed to gravitate towards her, consistently rubbing against her affectionately as they swam together. Canopener’s belly was swollen and due to her increased size, we suspected that she was pregnant. Despite her larger girth, she was careful and gentle in her movements and demeanor among both human observers and her family members.

During our 2021 field session we observed Canopener from the surface swimming with a calf. We had a brief glimpse of her underwater but the calf was too far away for documentation. 

Smooth pectoral fins, scar on left side of face
Distinct white slash on stomach
'Canopener' cut on the right fluke

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 3, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 3, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Dec 9, 2019

Last Observed

Date / Time Location Activity
19/12/2022 3:09 pm 15 16 100/061 26 978
4.5 miles from shore		 Canopener glides by with Hope, joins Digit and Fork as the whales depart exchanging codas
10/12/2022 2:55 pm 15 22 200/061 26 958
2.5 miles from shore		 Canopener approaches, mugs for camera and allows swim along
05/12/2022 1:11 pm 15 23 000/061 27 152
3 miles from shore		 Canopener engages in lovely 6 minute swim along, then dives deep
25/11/2021 12:14 pm 15 28 813/061 35 119
6.5 miles from shore		 Canopener swims by afar on way offshore towards Martinique with small calf
09/12/2019 1:25 pm 15 20 559/061 28 647
4.8 miles from shore		 Canopener, Hope, Digit glide parallel to surface at 15ft, all pivot to present ventral view, Canopener surfaces for close swim along
09/12/2019 12:01 pm 15 20 394/061 28 615
4.9 miles from shore		 Canopener and Hope sleep near one another amid members of units Un and F
03/12/2019 1:23 pm 16 29 649/061 29 857
2.2 miles from shore		 Canopener approaches for close pass and excellent view, appears to be pregnant
03/12/2019 11:40 am 15 26 251/061 29 322
2.5 miles from shore		 Canopener, Digit, Knife slowly swim parallel at surface, excellent fluke views
Date/Time: 19/12/2022 3:09 pm
Location: 15 16 100/061 26 978
4.5 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener glides by with Hope, joins Digit and Fork as the whales depart exchanging codas
Date/Time: 10/12/2022 2:55 pm
Location: 15 22 200/061 26 958
2.5 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener approaches, mugs for camera and allows swim along
Date/Time: 05/12/2022 1:11 pm
Location: 15 23 000/061 27 152
3 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener engages in lovely 6 minute swim along, then dives deep
Date/Time: 25/11/2021 12:14 pm
Location: 15 28 813/061 35 119
6.5 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener swims by afar on way offshore towards Martinique with small calf
Date/Time: 09/12/2019 1:25 pm
Location: 15 20 559/061 28 647
4.8 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener, Hope, Digit glide parallel to surface at 15ft, all pivot to present ventral view, Canopener surfaces for close swim along
Date/Time: 09/12/2019 12:01 pm
Location: 15 20 394/061 28 615
4.9 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener and Hope sleep near one another amid members of units Un and F
Date/Time: 03/12/2019 1:23 pm
Location: 16 29 649/061 29 857
2.2 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener approaches for close pass and excellent view, appears to be pregnant
Date/Time: 03/12/2019 11:40 am
Location: 15 26 251/061 29 322
2.5 miles from shore
Activity: Canopener, Digit, Knife slowly swim parallel at surface, excellent fluke views

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