(Brisbane Times)
Fears for Migaloo after sharks seen eating white whale
Bridie Jabour
August 10, 2011 - 6:49AM
Comments 1
Fears for white whale Migaloo
The carcass of an albino whale has been found in Queensland's north, prompting fears it could be the famous Migaloo.
There are fears for the famous white whale Migaloo today after sharks were yesterday found feasting on the carcass of what is believed to be an albino whale.
Founder of the Whale Research Centre Oskar Peterson this morning said he was concerned the dead animal was Migaloo, but he would wait to see footage of the scene before coming to a conclusion. He said DNA testing would also be carried out.
``We can't confirm yet if it is Migaloo yet but there are five white whales out there,'' he said.
``But I don't think it is Migaloo. Baby calves, when they are born, are sometimes white so it could be that.
``There are about five white whale out there who are between four and five-years-old so it could be one of them.
``Humpback whales are also white underneath and can float upside down in the water when they die so the sharks could be feeding on that.''
The carcass was found yesterday on Palm Island in North Queensland and footage of it is expected to reach Mr Peterson today.
Migaloo is about 25 years old and Mr Peterson said he could be expected to live anywhere between 40 and 80 years.
He said DNA was taken from the white humpback in 1991 and stored, so tests would confirm the identity of the whale later this week.
Migaloo shot to fame as the only known all white humpback whale in the world after being photographed off Byron Bay in 1991.
His annual migration along Australia's east coast is tracked by the White Whale Research Centre and he usually attracts crowds as soon as he is known to be in a particular area.
People who get too close to the whale can face fines of up to $16,500 because of special Queensland and Commonwealth Government legislation to protect him from harassment.
All water vessels, including jet skis, are prohibited from getting closer than 500m to Migaloo and aircraft cannot get closer than 2000 feet.
0 comments:
Post a Comment