Migaloo, the only documented white humpback whale in the world, has been spotted off the coast of Australia on his annual migration. Unlike Moby Dick, Migaloo isn’t a sperm whale and doesn’t have a deranged sea captain chasing him. Instead, Migaloo is a celebrity whale with his own website and Facebook. The Australian government has enacted special laws to protect him and to keep the paparrazzi at a distance.
Migaloo, which means “white fella” in an indigenous Australian language, doesn’t have Ahab following him, but he is threatened by the possible resumption of hunting by Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean.
photo copyright Daniel Burns
Now THIS is awesome.
Go Migaloo!
By: Deb on July 3, 2009
at 4:53 am
Thanks, Deb. Isn’t he a beauty?
By: underseaencounters on July 3, 2009
at 6:17 pm
What a magnificent creature. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the world showed more reverence to these such spectacular beings ? Hopefully Migaloo’s growing profile will create more inspiration for this to occur. Go Migaloo indeed !
By: colleenincairns on July 3, 2009
at 1:43 pm
Thanks for your comment! I do think Migaloo is an wonderful “ambassador” for humpback whales…I’ve noticed there have been many stories from around the world about him. Kudos to the Australians for protecting him so well…
By: underseaencounters on July 3, 2009
at 6:16 pm