Whale watching
Sri Lanka has become a new hotspot for the Blue whale, which is the largest animal on earth and the heaviest creature to have ever existed. In the early 1900s, Blue whales were hunted in great numbers for their body fat, which brought them to the brink of extinction. However, international protection in 1966 helped prevent their extinction. The Blue whale population, estimated to be around 300,000 before the whaling boom, decreased to only 650-2000 whales by the time the ban was introduced. Despite almost 40 years of protection, a 2002 report estimated a worldwide population of only 5000-12,000 whales, and the Blue whale is still considered an endangered species.
During the 30-year-long terrorist war in Sri Lanka, a small population of whales grew unnoticed and unchecked. After the war ended in 2009, it was discovered that three locations around Sri Lanka were teeming with Blue whales, Sperm whales, Killer whales, Pilot whales, Whale Sharks, and large pods of Dolphins.
One unique...
During the 30-year-long terrorist war in Sri Lanka, a small population of whales grew unnoticed and unchecked. After the war ended in 2009, it was discovered that three locations around Sri Lanka were teeming with Blue whales, Sperm whales, Killer whales, Pilot whales, Whale Sharks, and large pods of Dolphins.
One unique...
