A Chinese scientific research team while carrying out the world’s first expedition to study deep diving and pelagic cetacean species in the South China Sea, spotted sperm whales and other elusive cetaceans.
Sperm whales and striped dolphins were discovered in the area after the 14-day investigation which was conducted in an area about 400 km long and 200 km wide offshore of south China’s island province of Hainan. Sperm whales, the largest of all toothed whales were spotted with calves and also Cuvier’s beaked whales, the deepest diving whale. The researchers spotted 27 groups of whales, including seven identified species of whales and dolphins – two species are yet to be identified and confirmed.
The investigation results not only show the biodiversity of the whales in the South China Sea but is of great significance to the study, protection and conservation of these marine mammals.
