White humpback whale washed up on Australian beach is NOT a Migaloo after famed albino whale feared dead
White humpback whale found on a beach in Mallacoota, Victoria on Saturday
The large carcass raised fears it might be the beloved albino whale Migaloo. could be
Scientists revealed on Sunday that the humpback whale is a sub-adult female
Migaloo hasn’t been seen in two years after his tracking chip was lost
About 40,000 of the marine mammals migrate to the east coast to breed
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Scientists have confirmed that the white humpback whale that washed up on a beach in Victoria is not Australia’s beloved albino whale Migaloo.
The 10-foot carcass spotted Saturday afternoon at Big Beach in Mallacoota, East Gippsland, is a female, while Migaloo is a male.
Researchers have worked late into the night to determine if the carcass was the famous whale not seen in Australian waters for years.
The Environment, Land, Water and Planning Ministry said on Sunday that officers were convinced the beached whale was a sub-adult female after genetic material was extracted from the carcass by scientists.
Experts have revealed that the white humpback whale that washed up on a beach in Victoria on Saturday (pictured) is not Australia’s most beloved albino whale Migaloo
Migaloo (pictured) was first sighted in 1991 near Byron Bay and researchers have been tracking it ever since
Victorians were warned to keep themselves and their curious pets at least 300 meters from the carcass or risk a hefty fine.
Investigators will continue to scour the area for clues after analyzing images of the carcass well into Saturday night Herald Sun reported.
The images revealed barnacles on the throat and patches of dark skin as scientists tried to determine the whale’s original color.
Carcasses floating in the ocean for some time can look just as pale as the famous Migaloo — whose name means “whitefella” in several native languages.
The unusual humpback whale was first sighted in 1991 off the coast of Byron Bay with researchers dedicated to tracking its movements ever since — with the last sighting two years ago before the whale’s tracking chip was lost.
Experts and the public were fascinated by Migaloo’s coloring.
The dead albino whale found Saturday was reportedly about 10 meters long, while Migaloo is about 15 meters long
A dead albino whale (above) found on Big Beach in Mallacoota on Saturday is a sub-adult female humpback whale, researchers have revealed
Believed to have been born in 1986, the whale is believed to be the first all-white whale in the eastern humpback population and is touted as the best-known humpback whale on Australia’s east coast.
The director of the Marine Mammal Foundation, Kate Robb, said she was sure the carcass was not that of the famous albino whale.
“Migaloo is such a notorious and beloved whale, but it’s still incredibly sad to see another whale wash up, especially a female,” she said.
dr. Robb said the beach in Mallacoota was on the “humpback highway” and that a whale washed up there was not uncommon.
About 40,000 of the marine mammals currently migrate from the cooler waters of Antarctica to warmer waters along the east coast to breed.
Mallacoota local Peter Coles found the dead whale while walking along Big Beach on Saturday and shared photos on the community’s Facebook page.
“Looks like a sculpture…about 10 meters long,” he said.
Migaloo (pictured off the Gold Coast in 2012) hasn’t been seen for two years after he lost his tracking chip
Migaloo is expected to turn 33 this year with an expected lifespan of 50 years.
He is considered “such a unique whale” that special legislation has been created to protect him from harassment.
The law prohibits all watercraft from operating within 500 meters of Migaloo, while planes are not allowed to fly lower than 2,000 feet above the whale.
Every year between May and November, the humpback population makes its annual pilgrimage from Antarctica to the warmer waters of northeastern Australia.
They then mate and give birth before returning south with their young.