Dear MarMamers
Here are a few key updates for Orca Project Sri Lanka (OPSL), more details can be found in the monthly-updated sightings log and PDF, see links at bottom of post. Since the beginning of the 2013/14 field season, there have been five sightings of a pair of Killer whales off Mirissa on the South Coast. (November 18th, 25th, 26th, 27th and 29th). Photographs and video footage from the 25th and 26th, submitted to OPSL, show the individuals to be OM001 and OK008. It is likely that the ‘male and female’ reported from the other 3 dates were also this pair. These two whales are the most frequently re-sighted in the OPSL catalougue. It is believed they return each year as well as travel all around the island, having been sighted in Kalpitya (Northwest), Mirissa (South) and Trincomalee (Northeast) *Observations of predation* Images from the 25th of November were shared with OPSL by observers Paul Bateson and Andrew Webb. Observation details include the orcas feeding on an unidentified object. In two of the images, a beak or rostrum can be seen with a patchy brown/green colouration to the surrounding skin. OPSL contacted Josh McInnes, who specializes in the study of mammal-eating (transient) killer whales of the Pacific Northwest, to offer his opinion on the ID. After looking at the photos, Josh concluded that the beak shape and brown/green colouration (caused by diatoms) appears to be consistent with that of a juvenile Blainville’s beaked whale *Mesoplodon densirostris.* OPSL in collaboration with Josh McInnes, are currently preparing a small paper on this finding, which will be released in the coming week. We would be very interested to hear of any observations of Killer whale predation on M. densirostris, as well as any other accounts of prey species taken in the Northern Indian Ocean. Please contact us at georgina.wildoce...@gmail.com Links PDF https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzRJAIq7VT1Ia3VJdm5wS3p5OGs/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1 Sightings Log https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzRJAIq7VT1Id0VmbUhZb2pqdTA/edit?pli=1 All the best Georgie -- *Georgina Gemmell* Lead Administrator, Orca Project Sri Lanka
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