'Floating gold' worth $545,000 found in the stomach of a stranded sperm whale.

Spain: Experts found a rare lump of ambergris, also known as "floating gold," in the carcass of a sperm whale that washed ashore on the island of La Palma, near the Canary Islands, in June.

A sperm whale carcass washed ashore on La Palma Island. Photo: IUSA — A sperm whale carcass washed ashore on La Palma Island. Photo: *IUSA*

A team of veterinary pathologists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) arrived at the stranding site to investigate the cause of the sperm whale's death. Initially, they ruled out injuries caused by human activity, so the investigation shifted its focus to natural causes, Newsweek reported on July 5.

During the investigation, Antonio Fernández, director of the Institute for Animal Health and Food Security (IUSA) at ULPGC, found a large, hard lump of ambergris in the fish's intestines, measuring approximately 50-60 cm in diameter and weighing 9 kg. This rare object is estimated to be worth around $545,000.

Ambergris is a waxy compound, resembling a rock, with a very strong odor, formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. It sometimes floats in the sea or washes ashore around the world . Ambergris is highly valuable. Historically, it was used as a medicine and even as an aphrodisiac. Perfume manufacturers also favor ambergris because it helps fragrances last longer. Today, ambergris is only found in the most expensive perfumes due to its cost and availability.

Sperm whales eat large quantities of cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish, whose beaks and other body parts are indigestible. Most of the time, the whale regurgitates these parts. But occasionally, they pass through the whale's intestines. Experts believe that whales produce ambergris in this situation to lubricate the passage of the solid object and protect their internal organs. However, the compound is so rare that it has been found in less than 5% of sperm whale carcasses. The ambergris is eventually expelled through the rectum, but in some cases, it can cause dangerous blockages leading to the whale's death.

In the case of La Palma, Fernández said that ambergris blockages can cause intestinal damage in sperm whales, leading to infection and death. IUSA is seeking buyers for the ambergris to raise funds for victims of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption. Throughout his 30-year career, Fernández has examined more than 1,000 whales, including 50 sperm whales, but had never encountered ambergris before.

An Khang (According to Newsweek )

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