While the width of its fluke is
the length of an average Sri Lankan fishing boat, it is with great respect that
we maneouver through its territory knowing that a mere flick of the tail would
send us reeling. But it is with unending fascination that we stop to watch.
Even as a researcher who has the privilege to spend many hours weaving through
their world, each encounter reminds me how lucky I am to experience something
that only the smallest percentage of our world has, and ever will get the
opportunity to marvel at.
The largest animal to ever roam
the planet, the blue whale, is fast becoming a national icon; a symbol for the
Sri Lanka in a new era of peace. While Sri Lankans are now free to roam and
experience the entire country, the blue whale is free to explore the entire
ocean, however, those in our waters do not wander afar. The northern Indian
Ocean basin is home to a population of blue whales that, unlike others of this
species, remain resident all year round.
While the warm waters of the tropics are a key reason for tourists from
around the world to flock to our shores, it is precisely what prevents most
whales from hanging around throughout the year. Tropical waters are generally
less food-rich than those in the cooler areas such as the poles. For a species
that feeds exclusively on tiny shrimplike animals called krill, that are no
bigger than a 2 rupee coin, and consume about 3.6 metric tons or 2/3rds of the
weight of an elephant in a single day – having areas rich with food is a key to
their survival.
The blue whale is a baleen whale.
This means they have fringed plates of fingernail-like material, called baleen
attached to their upper jaws and a distinct absence of teeth. These giant
animals feed by gulping an enormous mouthful of water, which is made possible
by the expansion of their throat pleats. The whale then uses its massive
tongue, which weighs as much as an elephant, to force the water out through the
thin, overlapping baleen plates. The krill that are left behind are then
swallowed in a single gulp.
So why are they called blue
whales? Because as they swim under the surface of the ocean, they take on a
beautiful tinge of blue; while at the surface, they are a mottled blue-gray in
colour. While blue whales are generally considered solitary, in Sri Lanka, one
often gets the opportunity to see more than just a couple in a single area. So
why are our waters so popular with these great leviathans? Well, evidence comes
in the form of a reddish substance that floats at the surface of the water
before dissolving….blue whale poo! It gets its beautiful hue from the
reddish-pink krill that the whales consume…and the fact that they defaecate is
a sign that they are feeding in our waters.
While Sri Lanka is now being
crowned one of the most accessible places in the world to see blue whales, for
over two thousand years another giant has become synonymous with our island –
the elephant. It became such a symbol of Sri Lanka that the coat of arms used
during Dutch and British rule were adorned with an elephant standing
majestically between two stands of palm trees. Sri Lanka is a blessed land. An
unimaginable range of cultural and natural sights, smells and sounds abound as
you travel through this island and the sight of the largest land mammal roaming
the planet today is certainly one to behold. The mere fact that it is possible
to see the largest land mammal and the largest marine mammal in one holiday
makes Sri Lanka a very unique land and definitely worth a visit.
Unfortunately, both these
species, the largest mammals in their respective habitats are endangered – they
face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. They face problems related to
increasing human encroachment – directly linked to increasing population size.
Blue whales face significant threats from increasing ship traffic and elephants
suffer from loss of territory and habitat due to increasing land development.
While research on blue whales is still at its infancy mostly due to the costs
related to working in the marine environment, we are beginning to understand
their needs and better ways to conserve the populations.
So, while we sit back and enjoy
the moment it is always important to remember to treat these giants with
respect. We must recognize that these are wild animals, and while seeing them
is a moment to celebrate, there is no guarantee for nature. To truly appreciate
these giants, we must watch them in their natural habitat indulging in their
natural behaviours. Rushing to get as close as possible or any other invasive
action on our part only disturbs them and sends them fleeing. It is essential
that you tell your operator that while you are keen to watch these animals you
are happy to hang back and get the real experience to prevent harassing the
animals. Make a statement about the importance of conserving these species when
you pick your guide and don’t be afraid to vocalize if you think they are
disrupting the animal’s behaviour. We have to remember that while we have the
privilege to experience these giants, two of the greatest that have ever lived,
they are not ours to destroy. We have a responsibility to protect them as they
belong to all of us and most of all to our unborn children.
