In a rare and heartening sighting, four Bryde’s whales were recently seen gliding through the calm waters off Gwadar’s coast, according to the World-Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P).
The discovery was made by local fishermen near Demi Zur, about five kilometres north of their usual fishing area. The crew was led by Captain Amir Dad Karim, noticed unusual movement in the water and, upon approaching, were stunned to find a small pod of baleen whales surfacing and diving gracefully.
They immediately reported the sighting to WWF-Pakistan as part of the organisation’s citizen science initiative, which encourages local communities to help record and monitor marine life.
WWF-P later confirmed the species as Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) — one of only three baleen whale species called to inhabit Pakistani waters. The other two are the blue whale and the Arabian humpback whale.
These majestic creatures prefer warm and temperate oceans, feeding mostly on small schooling fish such as sardines, Mackerels, Anchovies — species found in abundance along Pakistan’s coastline.
Listed as “Data Deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Bryde’s whales are one of the least studied whale species in the world.
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WWF-Pakistan highlighted that, like all cetaceans, they are legally protected under Pakistan’s
- Wildlife
- Fisheries
- International trade laws
“Such rare sightings remind us of the incredible marine biodiversity along Pakistan’s coast and the need to protect it for future generations,” WWF-P said in its statement.
The organisation is currently developing a national databank of cetaceans — including whales, dolphins, and porpoises — through its citizen science program. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, WWF-P’s technical adviser, noted that these community-led efforts are assisting to fill critical research gaps. “This sighting is considered to be a positive sign of a healthy marine food web,” he said.
Unfortunately, not all encounters have been so hopeful. In November 2023, a dead Bryde’s whale was found near Jiwani, close to the Pakistan-Iran border, following a similar stranding earlier that year.
Rab Nawaz, WWF-P’s senior director for biodiversity, praised the dedication of coastal communities. “Their collaboration and knowledge are extremely important in protecting endangered species,” he said.