Whale watching
Sri Lanka has recently emerged as a new hub for Blue whales, the largest animals on earth and the heaviest to have ever existed. Blue whales were extensively hunted for their body fat during the early 1900s, which nearly led to their extinction. Fortunately, international protection was granted to them in 1966, but their population still suffered greatly, dwindling down to just 650-2000 from an estimated 300,000 before the whaling boom. After almost 40 years of protection, a 2002 report estimated a worldwide population between 5000-12,000, making the Blue whale an endangered species.
However, while the world was focusing on counting whales elsewhere, a small population of Blue whales around Sri Lanka was growing unnoticed for 30 years during the terrorist war. After the end of the war in 2009, three locations around Sri Lanka were discovered to be rich with Blue whales, Orcas (killer whales), Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Whale Sharks, and large pods of Dolphins.
What makes the Blu...
However, while the world was focusing on counting whales elsewhere, a small population of Blue whales around Sri Lanka was growing unnoticed for 30 years during the terrorist war. After the end of the war in 2009, three locations around Sri Lanka were discovered to be rich with Blue whales, Orcas (killer whales), Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, Whale Sharks, and large pods of Dolphins.
What makes the Blu...
