A rare 45-foot-long sperm whale has been spotted in the Arabian Sea, approximately 40 nautical miles southwest of Karachi, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan). The sighting is considered significant for marine wildlife research, as it is reportedly the first recorded observation of a sperm whale in Sindh’s coastal waters.
According to WWF-Pakistan Technical Adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan, the whale was spotted during a marine expedition led by WWF-Pakistan board member Zahid Memon. Video footage captured during the expedition showed the whale’s distinctive breathing blowhole, skin markings and prominent hump, helping experts identify it as a sperm whale.
WWF-Pakistan says that 26 species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in Pakistan’s marine waters. However, these marine animals face threats from pollution, fishing nets and collisions with ships. The organisation has stressed the need for stronger marine conservation efforts, responsible fishing practices and continued research to protect rare marine species in the Arabian Sea.
