KUALA TERENGGANU — A pair of Orcas were sighted in Terengganu waters, off the coast of Kerteh on Wednesday (July 17).

It is believed to be the first time killer whales have been seen in the vicinity near the Pelantar Dulang Petronas oil drilling platform.

Marine Mammals branch head at Rantau Abang Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), Mr Mohd Tamimi Ali, confirmed in a statement to Bernama that the mammals sighted were Orcas.

“Based on records at the Rantau Abang FRI or the Malaysian Fisheries Department, the Orca whale has never appeared in Terengganu… (the date) is historic as it was the first time the mammal was seen in Terengganu waters.”

“We believe the two marine mammals are a pair (male and female),” he added.

Videos of the orca pair were captured by some Petronas employees.

According to Bernama, the whales are estimated to be between six and eight metres long, and weigh between 5,000 and 6,000 kg each.

Mr Tamimi said that Orcas feed on squids, turtles, seabirds, sharks and other marine mammals, including seals and dolphins, making them much feared as they are at the top of the marine ecosystem food chain.

The whales are also a protected species and any sighting of the mammal should be reported to the state or district fisheries office, added Mr Tamimi.