A pod of more than 10 false killer whales has been sighted for the first time in the Lanta marine national park, off Thailand’s southern province of Krabi.

The Facebook page of the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation today reported that the animals, between 3 and 4 metres long, were swimming in the Andaman Sea about 400 metres from the beach of Rok Islet.

The false killer whales feed on small fish and squid. They are listed as a Category 1 protected species in Thailand.

On Wednesday, about 20 dugongs were spotted in the no-hunting territory around Libong Island, off the southern province of Trang.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, vice dean of the faculty of fisheries at Kasetsart University, said in his Facebook post that he counted 22 dugongs foraging for sea grass near the island yesterday, which was also “Earth Day”.

A survey last year showed that there were 185 dugongs in the seas off Trang province.

“The new normal is not only about health, but is also about learning that enough is enough and allowing space four our friends in the sea, so they can live with us on Earth,” said Thon.

Rare marine species have returned to Thai waters, especially the Andaman, after a break in human maritime activity, caused by a sharp drop in tourists as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.