A large family group of orcas – a.k.a. killer whales – (Orcinus orca) was recently observed in coastal waters of southern Tanzania during dedicated cetacean research conducted by the Tanzania Cetacean Program (TCP) in collaboration with Marine Mammals Research Association, Deniz Memelileri Araştırma Derneği (DMAD) and Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP).
Orcas are a globally distributed species found in all ocean basins. Whilst known to be occasional visitors to tropical waters (with sightings in Mayotte and Reunion last year (IndoCet Consortium)), orcas are rarely seen at low latitudes, usually staying offshore, far from most research and recreational activities. This is a rare sighting of the Nyangumi Muuaji (Kiswahili) with former records attributed to strandings (Davenport, 2021).
Orcas are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN red list of Threatened Species, implying their conservation status is unclear (despite or perhaps due to their global distribution). Population trends are also unknown, emphasising the need for further information, especially in tropical regions.
Several publications are currently in preparation on these animals and embracing data collected on cetaceans in Tanzania over the last half decade.
Citation:
- Kalashnikova, T. Awbrey, P. Lyne, A. Akkaya, in press, WIOMSA.
