Screenshots of the video that went viral that allegedly shows a humpback whale off the coast of Redang.
IN A world where everyone has a camera in their pocket, an unexpected rare sighting is often captured on video.
Recently a clip had the internet buzzing with excitement. It features a majestic sea creature making a splash near Pulau Redang, leaving many to wonder if a humpback whale has truly graced Malaysia with its presence.
Could this be a rare maritime marvel or just a fishy tale?
Verdict:
TRUE
Marine Biology lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Associate Professor Dr Maizah Mohd Abdullah, has confirmed that this whale's appearance is considered special as it has never been reported in that location before.
"Although it is somewhat difficult to identify the whale due to the unclear video recording, I believe it is a humpback whale," she told Sinar Harian on Sunday (Sept 15).
The video recording shows the whale's head, but the identification of the dorsal fin indicates that it is of the humpback whale species.
The video was uploaded on Saturday (Sept 14).
She further explained that this species is known for its extensive migration, using waters around Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines to breed.
While humpback whales can be found in deep waters worldwide, the population closest to Malaysian waters is from the Western North Pacific region.
In Malaysia, they have been spotted near Pulau Pangkor, Perak and Miri, Sarawak.
Dr Maizah also noted that these whales filter large amounts of seawater to feed on crustaceans like krill and small fish and are not dangerous or a threat to divers or fishermen.
However, she advised the public not to approach the whale as its large size could unintentionally cause injury to humans.
"Local residents are advised to be cautious when engaging in activities near these waters, and if they encounter any endangered marine species like this, they should slow down their boats and avoid getting too close," she added.
The emergence of a marine mammal like the humpback whale sends a message for everyone to maintain ocean sustainability.
A 39-second video went viral on social media on Saturday (Sept 14), showing a group of fishermen excitedly encountering a whale in the waters of Pulau Redang.
