At the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Akademik Vernadskyi" a meeting with a fin whale - the second largest whale in the world - was recorded for the first time. This was reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center.
Polar scientists spotted a whale on March 6 in the Penola Strait, which is next to the Argentine Islands, where the station is located. They only managed to observe the animal for a few minutes, but managed to take photos and take samples of skin and fat.
Further laboratory studies will help determine the whale's sex, learn more about its condition, and understand the population structure of this species in the Antarctic.
It is noted that fin whales can reach a length of up to 26 meters and a weight of up to 75 tons. In the last century, due to whaling, the population of fin whales in the waters near the Antarctic almost disappeared. However, in recent years, their number has begun to recover. 
