A rare albino Omura whale, initially spotted off Phuket’s Coral Island on January 1st, has been observed again in the Andaman Sea near Phang Nga province. The recent sighting was near Richelieu Rock, a renowned diving spot 45 kilometers from the mainland.
Despite efforts by the Marine and Coastal Resources Department and the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to locate the whale after its first appearance, it remained elusive until its recent rediscovery. The sighting has been deemed a “miracle” by Kasetsart University lecturer and marine expert Assoc Prof Dr. Thon Thamrongnawasawat, sparking an extensive survey of Thailand’s waters.
While several ordinary Omura whales have been found, this particular albino whale’s reappearance, roughly 250 kilometers from its initial location, suggests it is the same individual due to the rarity of albinism among these whales.
The coincidence of its sightings on both International New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year has intrigued many, including Dr. Thon, who hopes this will aid in understanding the habitat range of Omura whales and formulating conservation strategies. (NNT)
