A video caught by Lebanese citizen Mohammad Choufani showed the Orca Whale, also known as the Killer Whale, casually swimming in the water of Ain Mraysse, and even doing some fun backflips for the kids.
During a cruise taken around Ain Al Mreiseh, Beirut, Choufani was lucky enough to capture a video of the Orca Whale swimming in the sea and appearing very close to the Lebanese coast, next to Zuruni cafe’s coastal porch and waterfront.
According to Al-Jadeed, Choufani confirmed that the whale appearing on video belongs to the oceanic family of dolphins and is one of its largest species.
The whale’s length exceeded ten meters and was swimming in a distance not more than 50 meters from the coast.
Despite being one of the largest whales, the Orca Whale is not as dangerous as its name suggests.
According to Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the toothed whale was given this name by ancient sailors because it hunts and preys on larger whales species. They were called Asesina Ballenas, which was later translated into killer whales.
This is not the first time the black and white fish comes cruising by Lebanon and its share of the Mediterranean sea.
The Facebook page “Fishing in Lebanon” posted on February 3rd of this year a video that monitors the appearance of the Orca Whale in Khaldeh.
Even though it is common in Lebanon to believe that whales, dolphins, and sharks are nonexistent in Lebanon, it is somewhat inaccurate. Dolphins pass by Lebanese shores every once in a while and often more than we notice.
According to Life Gate, “The Mediterranean is home to increasingly rare populations of cetaceans.” It is also home to eight species of whales and dolphins, including Fin Whales, Sperm Whale, Striped Dolphin, and Bottlenose Dolphin.Â
And since nothing can border water, there is no reason for these species to not stop by Lebanon once a while.
However, in the Mediterranean, Killer Whales are considered visitors most likely from the Atlantic Sea. They live in polar and tropical waters, from the coast to the open sea.
Watch the full video of the whale in Ain Al Mraise here:
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