A huge white humpback whale was spotted on Monday by multiple whale-watching boats off Australia’s Gold Coast. It’s extremely rare to see one of these animals; only three have been identified to date in the area. This sighting may be a fourth whale.
At first, some speculated it might be the return of the famous white humpback named Migaloo, which was first discovered in 1991. Up until recently, this whale was the only known albino humpback, among all 23,000 whales that migrate through the Gold Coast on their way from Antarctica to warmer northern waters, according to CBC News.
Researchers believe there may only be 500 humpback whales found in Gold Coast waters, according to the Queensland’s Department of Environment and Protection website. Whaling had thinned the whales numbers from 40,000 and were considered “commercially extinct,” meaning the humpbacks were no longer hunted because there were too few for profit purposes.
Migaloo means “white fella” and is one member of a small group of three white whales found in Australian waters. This whale has been celebrated for its beauty and extreme rarity among the small humpback whale population.
The sea mammal was believed to be a youngster of three to five years when discovered nearly 25 years ago. Based on recordings of the white whale’s songs, scientists think Migaloo is male.
Whale research center founder Oskar Peterson thinks this whale may be what is known as “Migaloo Junior,” which may be Migaloo’s calf. However, the whale expert is not completely certain based on available photographic evidence. The photos of the whale are missing Migaloo’s distinctive characteristics. Also, the timing of the migration is unusual in that Migaloo is six weeks behind his normal migration schedule. Petersen told Mashable Australia:
“This could well be Migaloo, but at this moment in time I am leaning towards that it is not. Due to his size and lack of photos at the moment, but also the timing of the year. It is very unusual.”
Peterson maintains the Migaloo twitter account and has been posting whale watchers’ photos and video footage.
Albinism is found in a wide variety of animals, including mammals of all sorts. A study published in the Journal of Heredity in 2011 found that Migaloo lacks a gene needed to make an enzyme involved in producing melanin — which is a primary dark pigments found in mammalian skin. This type of mutation is inheritable, so Migaloo can pass on this mutation to his offspring.
Peterson counts at least three white whales in Australian waters, including two calves born in the past four or five years. There is also a white whale seen in the north off the coast of Norway.
