Orca Whale Spotted in Bunaken National Park Waters

Manado (ANTARA) - An Orca whale (Orcinus orca) appeared in the waters of Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, on Tuesday (24/2), at around 10:00 a.m. local time, and was successfully documented by the ‘Smart Patrol’ team of the Mantehage Resort, Section I of the National Park Management.

“The appearance of the Orca whale in Bunaken National Park indicates that the marine food chain in Bunaken National Park is in a relatively healthy condition,” said the Head of Bunaken National Park, Catur Marbawa, in Manado, Wednesday.

He added that this also indicates that there is still sufficient food available for top predators in Bunaken National Park and that the connectivity of the marine ecosystem is being maintained.

In addition to the Orca whale, other whale species that can also be found in the Bunaken National Park area include the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and the Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus).

There are also several other types of aquatic mammals, such as dolphins and dugongs.

“The duration of the Orca whale’s appearance in Bunaken National Park, when spotted by the Smart Patrol Team, was about one hour before it swam back into the deep sea,” he said.

Several people witnessed the appearance of the Orca whale, including M. Ahda Agung (Head of the Resort), Dwi Cresla Tondo (Resort Member), Anggara Tripurwa (Forest Police), and Julian Garing (Boat Motorist).

Catur Marbawa explained that in Indonesia, the Orca whale is one of the animals protected through the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018.

Therefore, its presence in the Bunaken National Park area indicates that one of the protected animals in Indonesia is still being preserved.

The Orca whale is an intelligent predator that can mistake humans for prey or treat divers as toys.

“It is recommended that visitors to Bunaken National Park, especially divers, do not get too close, touch, obstruct the movement of, or panic, which could trigger the Orca whale’s curiosity,” Catur advised.