The world's
most beautiful and rare white humpback whale has been spotted migrating to warm
tropical waters off the Australian coast. Photographer Jonas Liebshner has
taken a fascinating video and pictures of that rare white humpback whale. The
photographer waited for a week for the white whale to arrive.
Many believe
that the albino is the world famous white humpback Miguelu. He has built a
loyal following in Australia since he was first seen in 1991.
Migalu is an aboriginal word meaning "whitefella". Among Miguel's photographs while in Byron Bay, it is located off the east coast of Australia. He migrates north annually from Antarctica to the hot waters of the state of Queensland.
Allison Reid
told national radio from a ship watching Miguel whales. "I cried and I
screamed 'You're a beautiful whale. Thank you for being here for us
today,'"
“He's amazing. It's just an incredible sight. "
According to
Oscar Peterson, an official at the Australian White Whale Research Center,
Southern Cross University was able to study the white whale's skin samples in
2004. The study revealed that Miguel was a male and was believed to be around
30 years old.
Humpback
Miguel arrives at Sydney beach at noon on Thursday. The researcher said he
migrated south to Antarctica after mating. 1
Photo by
Jonas Liebshner, a whale watching photographer in sydney. 2
One out
of 30,000 whales on the east coast held a show, throwing their unique tail 3
Pacific
Whale.Org wrote
on their blog:
’In 1993
Pacific Whale Foundation researchers encountered this amazing white whale in
Hervey Bay, Queensland. During this encounter we were able to confirm the whale
was all white and in 1998, we recorded the whale singing, a trait distinct to
male humpback whales.’’
This was
confirmed by a 2004 experiment by scientists at Southern Cross University.
There are several physical properties that scientists can use to identify this
unique Miguel whale. The fins on his back are slightly hooked, and they can
confirm that his tail has distinctive shape marks with a prominent edge on the
forehead.
The blog
continued: ‘’After sharing our remarkable discovery with the public, there
was an outcry to ‘name the whale’. It was decided that the naming of the whale
should be done by the elders of the local aboriginal collective in Hervey Bay.
Ultimately they named this animal “Migaloo” or “white fella”. The elders
explained their connection to all white or albino animals and that they appear
on earth to be respected and revered; that their unique color demonstrates the
need to respect all forms of life even if they appear different than
‘normal’.’’
Dr Franklin
said about Migaloo’s migratory habits last year. “He is now well and truly
fully grown and fully mature. He’s mature socially and physically,”
“It doesn’t
appear that he has had any issues with predators and he has an expectation to
living as long as 100 years, which is the generally-believed life expectancy.
“Reports of
his sightings have been available for just about every year of his life and so
he has been very useful in cataloging whale movements. Those sightings are very
valuable in confirming migratory timing.”
Migaloo
All humpback
whales are protected by Australian federal law, and "special management
marine mammals" such as the white mogul and other humpback whales have
more than 90% protection: boats and vessels cannot be reached within 500 meters
and 610 meters of aircraft The inside is out of reach.
These rules were enforced because of Migalo's fans' irresponsible desire to see him, and in 2003 he was hit by a boat and left with scars on his back. According to Queensland laws, cruise liners are not allowed to reach within 500 meters of a whale or once a whale enters the Australian coast, and vessels can be fined up to $ 16,500 (US $ 11,298) if they violate the rules.
