Migaloo

Migaloo ("whitefella" in some Aboriginal languages) is an all-white humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) that was first sighted on the 28 June 1991 at the Australian east coast near Byron Bay.

[1] The White Whale Research Centre (WWRC) was founded by Oskar Peterson in 1997 in order to raise awareness of Migaloo the white whale and it has become a collaboration of research from renowned marine experts and citizen scientists who have helped to collect and record sightings over the years.

[4] After analysis by Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) it was confirmed that the stranded whale was female and therefore not Migaloo.

[5] Since the last reported sighting of Migaloo was in 2020,[6] there have been some questions regarding the animal's status, but scientists suggest that long periods without observation are not unusual and could be due to changes in migration routes.

His popularity led to special declarations in Queensland protecting Migaloo and other whales that are greater than 90% white in colour.

The first records show that Migaloo has pinkish colour around the blowhole, no dark pigmentation in marks and scars, and seems to have skin abnormalities.

In October near the coast of Costa Rica a young white individual has been sighted and photographed with a non-white adult.

The term was chosen after the researchers contacted local Aboriginal people in order to find an appropriate name for the whale.

[16] There is discussion of whether the name is appropriate as Aboriginal terms for white people can have ambiguous meanings and can also describe disembodied human spirits.

[1] Migaloo's absence from East Australian waters and his recent sighting in New Zealand[20] might suggest that the migration route changes with time.