In May 2018, a blue whale—the largest animal on Earth—was spotted in the Red Sea for the first time ever, specifically in the Gulf of Aqaba near Eilat, Israel. This rare sighting was surprising to scientists, as blue whales typically inhabit deeper, cooler ocean waters and are not known to frequent the warm, enclosed waters of the Red Sea. The Straits Times+6Sott.net+6Anadolu Ajansı+6

The whale, identified as a pygmy blue whale measuring approximately 24 meters (nearly 80 feet) in length, was later observed by Egyptian authorities as it moved south into Egyptian waters. Monitoring teams were deployed to track its movements and ensure its safety. Smithsonian Magazine+1ScienceAlert+1

Experts believe the whale may have entered the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean via the Bab al-Mandab Strait, possibly due to disorientation during migration or changes in environmental conditions. scienceinfo.net+2Sott.net+2Anadolu Ajansı+2

This unprecedented event has provided valuable insights into the migratory patterns of blue whales and highlighted the importance of monitoring marine biodiversity in the regio