Wanted in Rome 22 Apr, 2021 Grey whale sighted near Rome on tour of Lazio coast. A grey whale, which appeared off the coast of Italy last week in a first for its species, was spotted at Fiumicino near Rome on 21 April. The animal was first sighted off the Pontine Islands, before being seen again off the coast of Naples, Sorrento and Gaeta, in what is being described as an "exceptionally rare" event. Noting that grey whales are usually found in the north-eastern Pacific Ocean, marine biologists are baffled by the animal's "incredible migration" to Italy, suggesting the climate crisis as a possible reason.