Local whale researcher Dr. Jack Lawson has confirmed that a pink whale captured on video along the northeast coast of the province is in fact a minke.

Lawson says the footage shows the animal has dark flukes and tail, with a very pink-coloured belly.

He believes the pink colour comes from vigorous feeding activity. He compares it to belly flops that can redden your skin. Similarly, the minkes are feeding so vigourously and splashing back down onto the surface of the water, it’s turning their white throats pink.

He says pink throats on minkes are not unusual.

The baleen whales have pleats on their throats that expand, and he’s seen those pleats turn pink, but not as intense as the whales captured on video in recent weeks. He looks forward to seeing more pictures and videos.

Lawson says minkes are so common off the coast of Newfoundland it’s possible that the pink whale sightings could be different animals.