A POD of killer whales seen off Mollymook Beach on June 5 has generated plenty of interest within the marine science community, as well as with the people fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the passing mammals.
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The sighting of the killer whale pod was reported to the Australian Orca Database by ORRCA president Ronny Ling, as first reports suggested a pod of at least three killer whales tail slapping approximately 400 metres offshore.
This is the first confirmed sighting of killer whales along the mainland east coast of Australia this year and the Australian Orca Database is keen to learn more.
Australian killer whales are highly transient animals, making them difficult to study, however with the assistance of the general public, fishermen and whale watch operators the organisation is slowly building an understanding of the elusive animals.
Killer whales have been sighted on the South Coast over the years and some of the same animals have been resighted in the area.
This sighting information and photos might help with identifying a known animal from the AOD database.
Anyone in the community wanting to contribute information or photos relating to this sighting can contact the Australian Orca Database on 0401 011 022 or email david@marinemammalresearch.com
If you would like to become a citizen scientist volunteer to help contribute to marine mammal research you can provide details of dolphin and whale sightings to http://www.marinemammalresearch.com.