The Great White Whale – Not Moby but Migaloo

October 26, 2009 · Filed Under Current, Lore of the Sea 

migaloowhitehumpbackwhaleThis may be old news to Australians, but it was brand new to me.

In 1991 a white humpback whale was sighted off the coast of Australia.  It was estimated to be three or four years old and was christened Migaloo, meaning “white fellow” in an Indigenous Australian language.   Every year Migaloo  swims from the coast of New South Wales to northern Queensland and his devoted human fans keep a sharp look out for the now famous great white whale. 

Migaloo has become a celebrity whale with at least two websites dedicated to its travels, (http://www.migaloowhale.org/, http://www.migaloo.com.au/)  presumably maintained by fans, (though surprisingly there is no Migaloo Facebook page. ) 

All celebrities have to deal with paparazzi and a celebrity whale is no exception. Migaloo has been given the status of a “Special Interest Whale” by the Australian government.   Boats and jet skis cannot get within 500 metres of him, and aircraft must stay at least 2,000 feet above him. Anyone who breaks these rules will be subject to fines of up to $16,500. 

After not being seen for two year Migaloo reappeared this summer off the Great Barrier Reef, possibly according to speculation, looking for a mate. In 2004  researchers from Southern Cross University collected sloughed skin samples from Migaloo, as he migrated past Lennox Head, and performed genetic testing to confirm that Migaloo is indeed a male.  Some have also speculated that Migaloo may have a low sperm count as this is a common side effect of albinism.  He also appears to have a tumor of some sort and is suffering from skin cancer and/or skin cysts as a result of his lack of protection from the sun.    

Migaloo’s title of “the only documented white humpback whale in the world” may be in jeopardy.  Three years ago a white humpback calf was reported swimming with a normal humpback mother in Byron Bay. It may be an offspring of  Migaloo but without additional testing, no one can be sure.   Perhaps a low sperm count was not a problem after all.

 

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Comments

3 Responses to “The Great White Whale – Not Moby but Migaloo”

  1. CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) on October 26th, 2009 3:08 pm

    “Operation Migaloo” was the name given by Sea Shepherds to their 2007-2008 ‘piratical procedures’ to try and prevent Whaling in the Southern Ocean. No doubt the name was chosen to honour this white whale in particular as well as whales in general.

    Good Watch

  2. Rick on October 26th, 2009 8:49 pm

    The Sea Shepherds are good with public relations even if they are nothing more than vigilante buffoons.

  3. CAPT. D. Peter Boucher, MN (Ret.) on October 26th, 2009 9:31 pm

    Indeed. I do not write about them anymore as they are now quite ineffective. They do pick good names however which catch one’s attention.

    Good Watch

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