A humpback whale, one of the ocean's largest creatures, was recently spotted in a California river, far from its usual habitat in the Pacific Ocean. The whale was seen approximately 60 miles inland, near the Sacramento River, where it was filmed by Denny Glover while he was fishing with friends. Glover was attempting to catch salmon and striped bass when the whale surfaced near his 21-foot boat. The whale was so large that it dwarfed the boat, and one of the people on the boat initially mistook it for a dolphin or porpoise. However, after seeing the whale spout again, they confirmed it was a humpback whale. The whale had entered San Francisco Bay earlier in the week and was moving east through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Marine Mammal Center, based in Sausalito, reported that its team of experts specializing in whales and dolphins plans to assess and monitor the animal. Kathi George, the center's director of cetacean conservation biology, urged the public to keep their distance and not attempt to influence the whale’s movement. The center noted that the whale is known to researchers through a photo identification catalog, with its most recent sighting recorded in Baja California in February. However, the reason for its inland journey and its current health remain unknown. Researchers also have not determined the whale's sex. This is not the first time a humpback whale has been spotted in inland waters. In 1985, a humpback named Humphrey spent several weeks in the Rio Vista area before returning to the ocean. Similarly, in 2007, a mother-calf pair called Delta and Dawn spent nearly three weeks in the Sacramento River Delta before returning to the sea. Humpback whales can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and they are known for their dramatic breaches and complex songs underwater. Glover described the whale as appearing healthy, noting it was breathing regularly and moving normally despite being far from the ocean. Authorities such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration did not comment on the recent sighting. Researchers are continuing to monitor the whale’s movements and condition, hoping to learn more about why it strayed so far from its typical habitat. While such events are rare, they highlight the importance of conservation efforts and public awareness in protecting these magnificent marine animals.