THERE has been a very rare sighting of one of the ocean’s most interesting mammals off the Kerry Coast.

Whale-watchers out at sea sighted a killer whale near Slea Head on Monday.

The experts on the boat identified it to be an elderly individual named John Coe, who is well known to whale-watchers around these isles.

Despite being ominously named, killer whales are virtually harmless to humans in the wild though they have killed while in captivity.

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Sightings of killer whales, or orca as they are otherwise known, are extremely rare so the chances of taking a dip alongside one of these beautiful animals is even rarer.

This particular orca, is in its twilight years. John Coe, was photographed first 33 years ago and was an adult even then.

He is easily recognised by the large notch on the base of the trailing edge of his dorsal fin, a feature which makes him unique and easy to spot.

John Coe, belongs to an aging sub-pod of 8 adults. In recent years there are worries for this group as they have failed to recruit new members and young blood.

Killer whales are spotted only a handful of times in any given year around Ireland, so catching a glimpse on one of these gorgeous animals in the wild is really something to savor.

Thanks to Richard Creagh for the images