QuickCheck: Was a pod of whales filmed near Langkawi?

A VIDEO of a pod of whales, supposedly feeding in Langkawi waters, has gone viral.

Is this recent, and was the video really shot in the island holiday destination?

Verdict:

TRUE

TikTok user @madylangkawi posted three videos showing the whales feeding on Sunday (June 26).

The three whales were discovered by a group of people on a boat trip from Pulau Payar to Segantang in Langkawi.

Langkawi district Fisheries officer Azahar Ahmad told Harian Metro: "Yes, these whales do come through Langkawi waters but seasonally."

According to a 2019 study, whales such as the blue whale and several species of dolphins swim seasonally through Malaysian waters.

There are several other species with "whale" in their name that migrate through our waters, namely the melon-head whale and the short-finned pilot whale, but these cetaceans are actually dolphins.

Since being uploaded on Sunday, the video has been viewed 355,000 times and received 28,700 likes.

https://www.tiktok.com/@madylangkawi/video/7113154615742303514" data-video-id="7113154615742303514" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" >

https://www.tiktok.com/@madylangkawi">@madylangkawia> https://www.tiktok.com/tag/allahamdulilh">#allahamdulilh jumpa lagi hari ne kja servey paushttps://www.tiktok.com/tag/langkawi">#langkawi https://www.tiktok.com/music/Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-6793951187000363009">♬ Pirates of the Caribbean - Ralimsa

References:

1. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/28/video-of-whales-frolicking-in-langkawi-goes-viral

2, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312390299_Records_of_marine_mammals_in_Peninsular_Malaysia_A_review