17 METER LONG WHALES IN THE ADRIATIC SEA: The sight that takes your breath away, one of them had scars (PHOTO) (VIDEO)

The Blue Whale is the second largest animal on the planet. Ocean specimens can reach 27 meters and the average size in the Mediterranean Sea is somewhat smaller, generally about 20 to 23 meters

The Research and Protection Institute "Blue world" said on Monday that two large fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were seen west of Losinj, and the researchers spent about 2 hours with them.

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Whales were noticed about three nautical miles west of the Mali Losinj bay and they were two adult individuals whose size was estimated at about 17 and 18 meters. Whales look like they are in good shape.

During almost two hours of observation, the animals traveled to the south at an average speed of about 3-4 knots. They appeared on the surface every 10-15 minutes, and they were on the surface only minutes on average before they dived again. 

During the observation, researchers collected data on behavior, photos for identification and samples of peeled skin for genetic analysis, the statement said.

The Blue Whale is the second largest animal on the planet. Ocean specimens can reach 27 meters and the average size in the Mediterranean Sea is somewhat smaller, generally about 20 to 23 meters.

Animals are mostly gray-brown on the upper side of the body, with bright, almost white colored stomach and lower body. According to the available data, Blue whales can live over 100 years.

Mediterranean whales are endangered by the population, mainly due to human activity. It is estimated that there are currently only a few thousand of them and their number is decreasing.

Collisions with large ships are one of the major causes of the deaths of large whales in the Mediterranean and one of the whales they observed in the sea had scars on its back, which imply the collision with the ship, according to the Institute of the Blue World.

Although the Adriatic Sea is not an area in which this species appears in larger numbers, these are noticed almost every year. The collected data indicate that the species in the Adriatic appears mainly at the end of the spring and in summer, especially in the area of Palagruza and the Jabucka valley.

Whales are protected by law in Croatia, and the institute is saying that the whales are peaceful and totally harmless for the people. They say that people shouldn't approach them and not to disturb them.

Considering that whales are endangered species the Blue World Institute is inviting all people who have any information about them appearing to send them their photos and videos, because that will help them gather data, to understand these animals in the Adriatic sea.

(Telegraf.co.uk)