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A group of 35 fishermen found 127 kilos of ambergris in the stomach of a sperm whale accidentally captured in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Yemen. The rare substance, used in luxury perfumery, was sold for US$ 1.5 million to a buyer from the United Arab Emirates.
Ambergris was found during fishing in the Gulf of Aden
The discovery occurred when the fishing boat picked up the carcass of a sperm whale while working in the Gulf of Aden.
Upon towing the animal back to shore, the crew suspected the presence of ambergris due to the strong marine fecal odor.
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After dismembering the whale, the fishermen found a 127-kilo mass in the animal’s stomach.
The material was identified as ambergris, an odorous substance found exclusively in the digestive system of sperm whales.
Rare substance is called “floating gold”
The Natural History Museum of the United Kingdom describes ambergris as a rare substance, popularly known as “treasure of the sea” and “floating gold.” Its value is primarily linked to its use in the perfume industry.
According to National Geographic, ambergris is valued because it helps prolong the duration of fragrances. Brands like Chanel and Lanvin use the substance in some luxury perfume lines.
Fishermen equally divided the sale value
According to The India Times, the piece of ambergris was sold for $1.5 million. The amount was equally divided among the 35 fishermen who participated in the discovery.
The BBC reported that several crew members bought houses, cars, and boats with the money obtained. One of the fishermen summed up the contrast between the smell and the value of the substance: “The smell was not very pleasant, but it was worth a lot of money.”
How Ambergris Forms in Sperm Whales
Scientists believe that ambergris arises from the diet of sperm whales, which consume a large volume of cephalopods, such as squids and octopuses. These animals have sharp beaks, which are not digested by the whales.
In rare situations, this mass of squid beaks and other biological materials can mix with a waxy secretion from the whale’s intestines, forming ambergris.
This article was prepared based on information from the Natural History Museum of the United Kingdom, National Geographic, The India Times, and BBC, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.
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