Boat of tourists spots rare creature in ‘mesmerizing’ moment near Portugal. See it
A lucky group of tourists recently had an “extraordinary encounter” off the coast of Portugal while on a boat tour.
The group, led by SeaEO Tours, was off the coast of Estoril when they spotted a rare sei whale, according to an Instagram post. The tour group called the experience a “truly rare moment of nature’s magnificence.”
As the group approached the creature, they witnessed the “majestic” whale skim-feeding — an “incredible behavior” and feeding technique in which the whale “gracefully glides just beneath the surface, filtering tiny organisms through its baleen plates,” SeaEO Tours wrote on Instagram.
“Moments like these remind us of the importance of preserving and protecting our oceans,” the post said. “Sei Whales are very rare to sight and it is a precious opportunity to learn more about them and contribute to their conservation.”
Estoril is about 15 miles west of Lisbon.
An endangered whale species
Sei whales, also known as baleen whales, are designated as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They are also categorized as “depleted” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The creatures are characterized by their long, sleek bluish-gray to black bodies that are typically covered with scars and discolored blotches, as well as their 219 to 410 baleen plates that fringe their mouths instead of teeth, the administration said.
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