Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas
The Long-finned Pilot Whale (Globicephala melas) is a large, social cetacean of deeper Atlantic and northern waters, living in close-knit family groups. In Britain it is most frequently recorded off northern and western coasts, and occurrences in the southern North Sea – including Suffolk – are uncommon. The species is known for mass stranding events, and historical records of strandings on the East Anglian coast exist. Any occurrence off Suffolk – whether a live sighting or a stranding – is an unusual and significant event, and should be reported promptly to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue or the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. Image: © John Bray, iNaturalist.
Find out more: Whale and Dolphin Conservation, The Mammal Society, iNaturalist
Suffolk’s Priority Mammal Species
Key
Listed as a conservation priority in Suffolk’s Biodiversity Action Plan.
Closely associated with Suffolk’s landscape and natural identity.
Identified as a key priority for recovery under Suffolk’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Has a Species of the Month article attached.
