First-Ever Field Observations Of Rare And Elusive Whale

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The Omura's whale was only officially described in 2003. Salvatore Cerchio

Only officially recognized as a separate species in 2003, very little is known about Omura’s whales. For decades, the few individuals caught were misidentified as “pygmy” or “dwarf” Bryde’s whales, as both live in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and have a very similar appearance. Even then, it was only known from around eight individuals caught by Japan in the 70s, and a handful that had washed up on beaches.