![]() ![]() During the research, it was discovered that in 20 there were sightings of a white humpback whale in the Barents Sea. Because of the dark spots as well as the dark-coloured eyes, researchers suggest it is leucistic and not an albino. The individual was completely white on the dorsal side but showed some dark coloration on the underside of the fluke. White humpback whale sightings are rare in other parts of the world but in 2012, a white adult humpback whale was sighted bubble-net feeding near the coast of Svalbard, Norway. White humpback calf sighted in costa rica swimming with an adult photgraphed by Felipe Chávez Īlso in 2022, a dead white humpback female washed up on the coast of Victoria. It is suggested to be a young male and has small grey colouration. In April 2022, another white humpback whale was spotted off the coast of New South Wales. has a dark spot on one fluke, leading to the possibility that he is leucistic and not a true albino. as people hypothesize that it could be related to Migaloo but there is no confirmation. In 2011, a white humpback calf was sighted near the Great Barrier Reef. ![]() Other white humpback whales have been spotted in Australia and are considered rare. They found a cytosine deletion in the DNA resulting in a truncated Tyrosinase Protein, a confirmed molecular basis of OCA1A, confirming Migaloo as a true albino. More recently, a 2012 study by scientists from the Australian Marine Mammal Centre analyzed sloughed skin and skin biopsy samples from Migaloo in order to find the cause of the white appearance. True albinism, or tyrosinase-related oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) occurs when tyrosine is not produced or is not properly metabolised into melanin, which can be a result of multiple mutations giving a variety of phenotypes, ranging from partial to complete albinism. These observations together provide strong evidence that Migaloo is a true albino. 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. There was discussion as to whether Migaloo's white colour was caused by true albinism or if he was leucistic or hypopygmented. A non-approach zone of 500 metres in general and 610 meters for aircraft has been established. His popularity led to special declarations in Queensland protecting Migaloo and other whales that are greater than 90% white in colour. Migaloo is one of the most famous humpback whales on the planet, with his own website dedicated to him. On the other hand, scientists suggest that longer periods of absence are nothing unusual and could have several reasons such as changes in migration routes. The last reported sighting of Migaloo dates back to 2020 and therefore some people think Migaloo might have already died. 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. In 2022 a dead white humpback whale was washed up at a beach in Victoria, Australia that was thought to be Migaloo. After genetic analysis in 2004 by Southern Cross University scientists, it was confirmed the Migaloo is male and possibly born in 1986. His singing was first recorded in 1998, which made scientist believe that Migaloo is a male humpback. Migaloo (“whitefella” in some aboriginal languages) is an all-white humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae) that was first sighted on the 28 th of June 1991 at the Australian East Coast near Byron Bay. Part of a Song by Migaloo recorded in 1998 ![]()
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