KUCHING: A dead whale found in Batang Lupar in Sri Aman division three weeks ago has been identified as a Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), says the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
Its general manager Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said this discovery marked the first confirmed record of a Sei whale in Sarawak waters.
"The identification was confirmed through a DNA test conducted by the forensic and genetic resource section of SFC's biodiversity conservation and research division, concerning the National Centre for Biotechnology Information," he said in a statement, reported by Sinar Harian.
The whale’s carcass was first reported by local residents on social media near Pulau Seduku on Nov 19.
Four days later, a team from SFC discovered the heavily decomposed carcass stuck on a bar near the construction site of the Triso Bridge.
Other large whale species previously documented in Sarawak, based on published literature and recent findings, include Bryde’s (Balaenoptera edeni), Sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), Fin (Balaenoptera physalus), Minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales.
The discovery of the Sei whale brings the total number of marine mammal species recorded in Sarawak’s coastal and offshore waters to 25.
“The high diversity of marine mammal species reflects the health and pristine condition of Sarawak’s marine environment," Abang Arabi said.
He reminded members of the public who have any information on activities involving hunting, trading or keeping protected and totally protected wildlife to report it to SFC.
