False killer whales spotted in Aegean Sea first time in decades

ISTANBUL-Anadolu Agency

False killer whales, generally found in tropical and temperate waters of major oceans, have been spotted in northern Aegean Sea for the first time in 25 years.

Eight false killer whales floating in open sea some 6 miles away from Imbros island were recorded by a fisherman.

“These endangered whales are rare and completely harmless,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arda Tonay from Istanbul University who watched the recordings.

“There are 89 different whale and dolphin species. Thirteen of them can be seen in Turkish waters. For the last 30 years, there were less than 20 records of these whales in the Mediterranean. In the Aegean Sea, this is the first time in 25 years,” added Tonay.