Migaloo heading for Cairns

Daniel Bateman

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

© The Cairns Post

 

MIGALOO the whale could be in Cairns within the next two weeks - and he could be joined by two other white whales. Send us your whale pictures.

The famous albino whale was spotted off Fraser Island on Sunday.

Send your pictures to digital@tcp.newsltd.com.au | Photo Gallery: Migaloo from the air | Search for white whale | Reader pictures: Migaloo near Cairns | Pictures: Migaloo the white whale 

Founder of the White Whale Research Centre, Oskar Peterson, expected Migaloo to make his way to Far North Queensland mid-July.

"He moves about eight knots, so he moves pretty fast," Mr Peterson said.

"As he moves up to Cairns, he goes right off Port Douglas and right up north – quite a fair way up."

It appears the white whale may not be unique, with reports of at least two other whales similar in colouring spotted this season.

Two reports of white whales were received by the research centre on the same day, at two different locations.

Mr Peterson said there were also reports in July 2008 of a white whale with black spots on its head and tail cruising up the east coast of Australia.

"It may be a possibility there may be two or even three white whales," Mr Peterson said.

"It’d be great for the tourism industry, but it means we have all got to work together to make sure these guys don’t get harassed."

First seen in 1991, Migaloo has been declared a special interest whale by the Queensland Government. This means no one can bring a boat or jet ski closer than 500m or fly an aircraft closer than 61m to the whale without written permission.

The fine for breaching this law is $16,500.

Migaloo has been seen off the Far North’s coast almost every year since and is set to star in a new documentary being produced by the BBC.

Send your pictures to digital@tcp.newsltd.com.au. For more information about Migaloo, head to www.migaloo.com.au

 


Return of the giant: Experts say Migaloo could be joined by two white whales.

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