Abstract:
Abstract
An unusually coloured, small baleen whale was documented off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in February 2017
during routine field surveys. Based on five distinct morphological characteristics including jaw asymmetry, presence
of a prominent central rostral ridge, blaze on right side, asymmetrical chevron on left and right sides and a strongly
falcate dorsal fin the individual was positively identified as an Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai). This discovery
represents the first confirmed sighting of Omura’s whale in Sri Lankan and therefore central Northern Indian Ocean
waters.
Keywords: Northern Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, Omura’s whale, Sri Lanka, Distribution, Balaenoptera omurai
