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First confirmed sightings of the killer whale (Orcinus orca) in Sri Lanka's waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2010

Anoukchika D. Ilangakoon ,
Ramani Jayewardene  and
Lester D. Perera
Anoukchika D. Ilangakoon*
Affiliation:
Cetacean Specialist Group of IUCN, 215, Grandburg Place, Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Ramani Jayewardene
Affiliation:
Ward Place, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
Lester D. Perera
Affiliation:
Bird and Wildlife Team, 17 C.P. de Silva Mawatha, Kaldemulla, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: A.D. IlangakoonCetacean Specialist Group of IUCN, 215 Grandburg Place, MaharagamaSri Lanka email: anouki@zeynet.com
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Abstract

Three killer whale (Orcinus orca) sightings were recorded during the twelve month period from March 2008 to February 2009 in the northern Indian Ocean waters around Sri Lanka. This included the first sighting of this species during a dedicated cetacean survey. In the past three decades, several dedicated cetacean surveys have revealed high species richness around Sri Lanka, but no killer whale sightings were recorded. Records thus far have been limited to two, very old, unconfirmed sightings and a few specimens in the fisheries bycatch. Due to this paucity of records despite dedicated surveys, the species has been considered to be rare in these waters. It is of interest however, that three sightings were reported during a short time span of one year, when no sightings had been reported previously despite numerous dedicated cetacean surveys and opportunistic observations of cetaceans in these waters.

Keywords

Sri Lankakiller whaleOrcinus orcasightings
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 3 , June 2010 , e14
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2010

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