Bryde’s Whales are widely distributed in the Indian Ocean; however, records in Indian waters are rare (Sathasivam 2004) and largely based on strandings. On 22 May 2009, around 09:35 (IST) three whales (two adults and one probable juvenile) were sighted 6km offshore (19016’42.43N & 85002’46.87E), at a depth of 28–32 m, south of Rushikulya River mouth, southern Odisha (Image 1). All three whales were heading north along the coast at about 3.5km/hr. No indications of feeding were observed. The lengths of the adult whales were estimated to be 11–13 m and the probable juvenile 8–10 m based on their size relative to our 7m long boat.
The whales were identified as Bryde’s Whales (Balanoptera edeni / brydei) based on the prominent lateral ridges located on each side of the median ridge on the head of the two adult whales and their pointed falcate dorsal fin (Cummings 1985). The irregular rolling pattern of the smaller whale did not allow us to observe its head region.