WHY IS WHALE VOMIT WORTH MILLIONS?
- Ambergris, a waxy substance produced by sperm whales, is a highly expensive natural material.
- Often referred to as “floating gold,” it’s a substance that goes from being a byproduct of whale digestion to an ingredient in high-end perfumes.
- This unique journey and its rarity contribute to its multi-million dollar value.
WHAT IS AMBERGRIS AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Ambergris: The ‘Floating Gold’
- Ambergris, meaning “grey amber” in French, is a waxy substance that originates in the digestive system of protected sperm whales.
- It is often wrongly referred to as whale vomit, though it is not the result of vomiting.
- Sperm whales consume large quantities of squid and cuttlefish, much of which cannot be digested.
- While some of this indigestible matter is expelled through vomiting, a portion binds together in the whale’s intestines, eventually forming ambergris.
- Occasionally, ambergris is excreted and found floating in the sea.
- However, it can sometimes grow so large that it ruptures the whale’s intestines, leading to the whale’s death
FROM SOFT WAXY TO ROCK LIKE TREASURE
- Freshly expelled ambergris: Soft, waxy, and greasy consistency.
- Transformation over time: Exposed to sunlight, saltwater, and air, it undergoes weathering and oxidation.
- Hardened form: Outer layers become crusty and rock-like, while the inside may retain some of its softer, waxier texture. This is the form typically found washed ashore.
WHY IS AMBERGRIS SO EXPENSIVE?
- Ambergris is a rare substance that is highly sought after in the perfume industry.
- It is used as a fixative, which means that it helps to make fragrances last longer on the skin.
- This ability to enhance and prolong scent makes it a highly desirable ingredient in high-end perfumes, which drives its price up significantly.
- Depending on its quality, ambergris can fetch prices up to $40,000 per kilogram.
LEGAL COMPLICATIONS
- Legal Status:
- Legal in some countries (e.g., United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, and Maldives).
- Illegal in others, including India.
- India: Sale and trade of ambergris are strictly prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Reason for prohibition: Sperm whales, the source of ambergris, are an endangered species protected by law. They were declared endangered in 1970 due to hunting and environmental threats.
- Purpose of the ban: To protect sperm whales and discourage any activity that could harm or endanger the whale population.
ABOUT SPERM WHALES
- Sperm whales, also known as cachalots, are the largest of the toothed whale species.
- The name “sperm whale” derives from spermaceti, a waxy substance found in their heads that helps them to focus sound waves, playing a key role in their deep-sea hunting strategies.
- Distribution: found in almost all marine regions.
- Habitat: They inhabit deep marine waters (generally deeper than 1000 meters).
- Threats: Major threats to sperm whales include fishing activities and marine pollution.
CONSERVATION STATUS
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I (prohibits international trade)
- Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II (protected species)
- CMS: Appendix I (listed under the Convention on Migratory Species)
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