Fraser’s dolphins in the South China Sea, July 20, 2020 [IMAGE: XINHUA]

Chinese researchers spotted 11 whale species in the South China Sea during a deep-sea scientific expedition, the Chinese Academy of Sciences said on July 28.

The 21-day expedition wrapped up on July 28 in Sanya, Hainan Province, having covered over 3,000 km. It was launched to conduct research on the diversity, population levels and distribution patterns of whales near the Xisha Islands and Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea. A similar expedition to study whales was launched in 2019.

A short-finned pilot whale in the South China Sea, July 20, 2020 [IMAGE: XINHUA]

Researchers make observations during an expedition in the South China Sea, July 24, 2020. [IMAGE: XINHUA]

Short-finned pilot whales in the South China Sea, July 20, 2020 [IMAGE: XINHUA]

Researchers on this year’s expedition spotted four whale species that were not seen last year: the pygmy killer whale, the false killer whale, the melon-headed whale and the long-snouted spinner dolphin.

According to researchers, historical records show that over 30 whale species have been recorded in the South China Sea, indicating that the area has the country’s greatest diversity of whale species.

Source: Xinhua