Over the past week, several people have spotted three whales near Nhon Hai and Vung Boi in Gia Lai province, an area formerly part of Binh Dinh.

On the morning of 3/7, whales appeared near De Gi port in Gia Lai province between 6:30 and 8 a.m. Photo: Pham Cong Quy

Thanh Tuan (second from the left), a resident of TP HCM, shared that he was photographing birds in Lam Dong when he heard about the whales near De Gi from some divers. He immediately traveled to the coast to photograph the whales. Having missed several opportunities to photograph them in recent years, he was determined to capture the perfect shot this time. Photo: Thanh Tuan

Locals reported sightings of three whales in the area: two adults and a calf. Some believe the calf may have been born in the area, prompting the adults to return during the breeding season.

Mariners identify whale locations by observing seabirds, as the two species have a symbiotic relationship. Whales herd fish into a tight ball, dive down, and then surge upwards, taking a large mouthful. Many fish leap out of the water during the commotion, providing a feast for the waiting birds above. Photo: Thanh Tuan

On the morning of 3/7, only two whales, one adult and one calf, were observed about 2 km offshore. Boats maintained a distance of approximately 100 m from the hunting area. Photo: Pham Cong Quy

The calf, pictured here, measured approximately 6 m in length. Tuan noted that the whales look very similar, making them difficult to distinguish from a distance.

According to Tuan, the adult whale hunted aggressively, while the calf, seemingly lacking strength, didn't surface as high out of the water.

"Their mouths are like giant baskets when they feed," Tuan remarked. Photo: Pham Cong Quy

According to the Center for Biodiversity and Endangered Species (CBES), the whales sighted in this area are Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni), a rare marine species. Unlike many whale species that travel in large pods, Bryde's whales tend to hunt alone or in small family groups.

Since 2022, Bryde's whales have been regularly observed along the coast of the former Binh Dinh province, including Vung Boi (Phu My), De Gi (Phu Cat), Hon Seo (Quy Nhon City), and Mui Ganh (Hoai Nhon town). Since June of this year, they have returned to Phu My and Nhon Hai, engaging in frequent hunting activity. Photo: Thanh Tuan

Many locals believe the whales are drawn to the area by the clean water and abundant food supply, making it an ideal location for hunting and breeding. Photo: Thanh Tuan

Hoai Anh