Sperm whale spotted off Sindh’s coast for first time

For the first time ever, a sperm whale has been spotted off the coast of Sindh, Pakistan, around 40 nautical miles southwest of Karachi, according to WWF-Pakistan. The 45-foot-long whale was observed during an expedition led by WWF-Pakistan board member Zahid Maker, as reported in a press release. Prior to this sighting, the species had only been documented off the Balochistan coast in 2017.

Footage captured during the encounter showcased the whale's blowhole, distinctive skin markings, and prominent hump. Rab Nawaz, Senior Director at WWF-Pakistan, emphasized the ecological significance of Pakistan's offshore waters and the urgent need to protect marine habitats and food chains sustaining large marine species. He highlighted the country's offshore waters as supporting a diverse array of marine life, many of which remain underexplored and undocumented, calling for stronger conservation efforts, responsible fishing practices, and collective actions to alleviate pressure on marine ecosystems.

Sperm whales predominantly feed on cephalopods like squid and octopuses, with their prey in Pakistan's coastal and offshore regions primarily comprising purpleback flying squid and diamondback squid. These mammals are known for their deep diving abilities, typically descending between 300 to 800 meters to forage, although they can reach depths of up to two kilometers.

WWF-Pakistan has recorded 26 cetacean species, including whales and dolphins, in the country's waters, such as blue whales, Bryde's whales, Arabian Sea humpback whales, and various toothed whales and dolphins. The organization's research and monitoring initiatives have also documented several toothed whale species in Pakistan's waters for the first time.

They stress the importance of continued research, responsible fishing practices, and robust conservation measures to safeguard marine biodiversity in the Arabian Sea. Established in 1970, WWF-Pakistan is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing environmental and conservation challenges that affect the country's biodiversity and human population, working towards the protection of wildlife, conservation of natural resources, and the preservation of the environment.