Humpback Confuses Yacht for Mother

Chances of survival aren't good.

A LOST and confused whale calf has taken to nuzzling a yacht in the mistaken belief it is its mother.

The heartbreaking scene in the waters off Pittwater has left National Parks and Wildlife crews fearful for the calf's future.

Officers yesterday undertook a delicate rescue mission to help unite the two-week old humpback calf with another pod.

The baby was spotted off the western side of Lambert Peninsula earlier this week.

Confused and alone, it was attempting to nuzzle a moored yacht.

Rescue teams from National Parks and Wildlife and NSW Maritime yesterday afternoon towed the yacht beyond Barrenjoey in a bid to lure the calf out to sea.

But experts held little hope for its survival.

"It's very young, it still needs milk," a National Parks spokesman said

"It's a very sad situation. Without its mother at suckling age, we are very concerned. There's no guarantee another pod will have a lactating mother and no guarantee it will accept it."

University of NSW whale expert Rob Harcourt said lost calves often confused boats for their mothers.

He said adoption was "highly unlikely".