![]() ![]() There have also been sightings of white orcas, a white right whale and a bottlenose dolphin with albinism throughout the years.The Migaloo, with its glam and grandeur, is a floating city in itself. In recent years, a video of what appears to be an all white humpback whale feeding in waters off Norway was released on the internet which depicts a whale that looks like Migaloo, until the whale lifts its tail to dive and its fluke pattern is 75% black! This whale was named Chalkie and some have called him Migaloo Junior, however is not known to be the offspring of Migaloo – they may or may not be related.Ĭhalkie does have one small black dot on the dorsal surface of his left fluke making him not quite all white meaning he does not have albinism. Yes, PWF researchers have observed whales that are over 90% white off east Australia, and in 2011 observed a newborn nearly all white male calf in the Whitsundays. This was confirmed by genetic testing in 2004.Īre there other predominately white humpback whales in the world’s oceans? In 1998 researchers first recorded Migaloo singing, thus indicating he is a male. While both male and female humpback whales can produce sounds, only the males sing songs. Scientists already knew this to be the case because of his song. Genetic testing confirmed another fact about Migaloo: he is a male. ![]() However, a 2011 study of his DNA by researchers at the Australian Marine Mammal Centre found a genetic variation leading to albinism. In the past he has been called the more conservative terms “all-white”, or “hypo-pigmented”. Scientists were initially skeptical to state Migaloo has albinism because his eyes are brown, rather than the typical red or pink. Migaloo’s population of humpback whales feed in Antarctica from November to April and migrates along the east coast of Australia to breed near the Great Barrier Reef from May to October. Migaloo is a member of the east Australian population of humpback whales. He has been observed in New Zealand waters but primarily off east Australia migrating as far north as Cooktown and south past Sydney. PWF researchers estimated he was 8 – 10 years at time of initial sighting making him approximately 32-36 years old in 2015. Since this initial encounter Migaloo has been seen dozens of times. They should be honored with reverence and respect not discrimination and shame. The elders further 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’. Ultimately they named the white whale “Migaloo” or “white fella”. Forestell and examining images of the white whale, they asked to have a few days to consider a name. Paul Forestell (then PWF Research Director now Board Member) and PWF Founder and Executive Director Greg Kaufman decided the naming of the whale should be done by the elders of the local aboriginal collective in Hervey Bay.Īfter conferring with Dr. In 1993 Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) researchers encountered this amazing white whale in Hervey Bay, Queensland.ĭuring their first encountered they were able confirm the whale was all white, and in 1998 PWF recorded the whale singing, a trait distinct to male humpback whales.Īfter sharing our remarkable discovery with the public, there was an outcry to ‘name the whale’. It was blurry and unclear if he was all white. The first photograph of Migaloo was taken through a telescope from a distance of over 5km away. He was first spotted in 1991 off Byron Bay, Queensland by a group of volunteers conducting a whale count.
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