encounters out of the blue: strandings of dwarf sperm whale, kogia sima (owen, 1866) in iranian waters of the persian gulf

The present study documents the first records of the dwarf sperm whale kogia sima, owen, 1866 (cetacea: kogiidae) from the persian gulf, based on the stranding of two specimens occurring in november 2023 and 2024. the specimens were registered, respectively, on larak and qeshm islands, hormozgan province, iran. this report provides morphological characteristics confirming species identification. the recorded strandings occurred approximately one year apart, at sites, within a 50 km range in the northern strait of hormuz, persian gulf. they provide novel insights into this elusive species' potential seasonal and spatial movements at their presumed westernmost range in the shallow persian gulf, restricted by habitat limits considering its normal deep-water distribution.