White whale spotted off Gold Coast sparks speculation about iconic humpback Migaloo
A rare white humpback whale has been spotted off the coast of Queensland on Monday with enthusiasts excited at the prospect of it being Australia’s famous whale, Migaloo
On Monday morning, a white humpback whale was spotted by a television helicopter off the coast of Queensland, with many immediately thinking it could be the famous humpback whale, Migaloo.
If the sighting is confirmed, it will be the first sighting of the iconic whale since his migration up the east coast of Australia last year.
Two sources currently believe this is not Migaloo. White Whale Research Centre founder Oskar Peterson told AAP that the whale in question was too small and too white. “It is probably Migaloo Junior”.
SeaWorld marine sciences director, Trevor Long, concurs. He told ABC Radio, “it’s an animal that was first sighted in 2011 and it’s been dubbed the ‘Son of Migaloo’… Migaloo is a full adult male and this animal that we saw today is a lot smaller.”
The sighting is significant because according to 9News, it is believed there are only two white whales in the thousands of whales that migrate along the Gold Coast.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies