20 Bryde’s whales frolic in Gulf of Thailand

[PeteC]

Photos and video at link. Let's hope they survive before some uneducated moron decides he can make a few Baht by selling the meat to the market. Pete

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/08/28/2 ... f-thailand

"A pod of almost 20 rare Bryde’s whales were spotted Monday by officials in the Gulf of Thailand off Samut Sakhon province.

Releasing photos showing the whales enjoying themselves within sight of the coast, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources credits restrictions on certain fishing practices during the whales’ June and July spawning season.

This gave their aquatic lives a break to reproduce and find more food for the Bryde’s whales, who seem to enjoy their hunt in the east of Bangkok, Daily News reported.

The deaths of two Bryde’s whales were blamed on fishermen in July and August.

A Bryde’s whale is approximately 13.7 meters to 14.5 meters long and weighs about 17 tonnes. In 2012, it was estimated that only 20 remained in the Gulf of Thailand."

[Frank Hovis]

Do whales spawn? I wouldn't have thought so.

[migrant]

Here in California they migrate between the north coast and Mexico, every season. Lots of whale watching boats go out from So California. I imagine for spawning, that's one of the only reasons I'd travel so far.....

[PeteC]

Frank's right, the reporters used the wrong word. They don't spawn, they are mammals and mate. Different process. All whales migrate to somewhere in mating and calving seasons. Pete