Scientists Confirm Sightings of Endangered Pygmy Blue Whale in Southern Philippine Waters For years, a group of researchers have been tracking a mysterious whale that they initially thought belonged to another blue whale subspecies. This article originally appeared in Mongabay. Mavic Conde May 14, 2021 A solitary whale frequently spotted in the Bohol Sea in the southern Philippines has long had a nickname: Bughaw, or “blue.” Now, thanks to recently published research, the whale also has a confirmed species and subspecies, knowledge that could shift understanding about the distribution of whale populations throughout the southern Pacific. Bughaw, a pygmy blue whale, known to frequent the Bohol Sea. Until recently experts thought this species did not venture into Philippine waters. Image courtesy of Jo Marie Acebes