Did You Know: There Are Wild Pilot Whales In Malaysia & You Might Spot Them
They've been spotted at places such as Tioman, Perhentian, Sabah, and Sarawak.
By Tamara Jayne — 27 Jun 2024, 01:01 PM
Sightings of pilot whales in Malaysia are uncommon but not unheard of
There have been several documented sightings in both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.
Earlier this month, a group of lucky travellers on a boat trip in Tioman encountered a pod of these friendly creatures. Not long after, another group on a separate boat also had a similar encounter.
Back in 2019, a rare sighting in Terengganu waters, near Perhentian Islands, marked the first documented occurrence of its kind in the state.
Though pilot whales are often mistaken for dolphins, they are not the same. However, they are from the same family.
Pilot whales belong to the cetacean family and are one of the largest types of dolphins, second only to orcas.
There are two types of species: long-finned and short-finned. The most common species seen in Malaysia is the short-finned pilot whale.
But why are they called 'whales' if they aren't whales?
According to New Zealand's Department of Conservation, "they are treated as whales for the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, and are named pilot whales because it was thought that each pod followed a 'pilot' in the group".
However, even though the name has stuck, they are not technically 'whales' and they don't have a 'pilot'.
Pilot whales are typically dark grey or black, while the calves are lighter-coloured than adults
They have a prominent, bulbous head with no beak, which is thought to be used for echolocation, helping them navigate and find food.
As one of the larger members of the oceanic dolphin family, they can reach lengths ranging from four to six metres.
They usually live in stable, family groups that may consist of 100 or more members.
Short-finned pilot whales are considered an endangered species in Malaysia
The Fisheries Act 1985, specifically Section 27 on Aquatic Mammals or Turtles in Malaysian Fisheries Waters, protects pilot whales.
This regulation makes it illegal to harm or harass pilot whales in Malaysian waters.
