Orca Whale Spotted Off Freedom Beach Patong, Phuket
A rare and exciting event occurred in Phuket on January 8, 2016, when an orca, commonly known as a killer whale, was spotted off the coast of Freedom Beach near Patong Bay.
The sighting, reported by the Phuket News, captured the attention of both locals and marine enthusiasts, as killer whale sightings in this region are extremely uncommon. Freedom Beach, located near Tri Trang Beach on the southern edge of Patong Bay, became a focal point of interest, drawing curious onlookers and highlighting the rich biodiversity of Phuket’s coastal waters. In this blog, we delve into the significance of this sighting and explore the intriguing presence of orcas in the tropical waters of Thailand.
Phuket Post Report
The Phuket Post wrote;
The Orca or Killer Whales can be found in all oceans, from Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas. Killer whales are highly social; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups which are the most stable of any animal species, but there is only one single Orca seen in the picture.
Suchart Ratthanareungsi, Director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre (PMBC) said,
“It is surprising news that an Orca appeared in Phuket waters. It is now possible that they will be around Thailand’s waters more often.”
“After we have checked on more details we will make a record of this sighting and make plans to protect them.”
Wikipedia
The killer whale, or Orca (Orcinus orca), is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin.
Killer whales are highly social; some populations are composed of matrilineal family groups (pods) which are the most stable of any animal species. Their sophisticated hunting techniques and vocal behaviours, which are often specific to a particular group and passed across generations, have been described as manifestations of animal culture.
Liveaboard Trips
Previous sightings of Killer Whales have been in Burmese waters on a liveboard vessel. MV Mermaid claims to have seen three Killer Whales while snorkelling in 2013.
