Secret of white whale is revealed: [2 All-round First Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 June 2004: 4.
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Abstract
The regulations follow concern [Migaloo]’s celebrity status was causing it stress. The new viewing conditions, designed to ensure safe migration, mean boats and jet skis will have to stay at least 500m from the whale and planes can fly no closer than 2000ft. Breaching the conditions will attract fines of more than $12,000.
Full Text
THE famed white humpback whale which has kept watchers fascinated for the past decade has finally revealed one of its great secrets — it’s a boy.
The gender of the whale has been one of the mysteries surrounding the rare beast, which was first spotted a decade ago making its annual winter migration from the Antarctic to the Whitsundays off Queensland. But yesterday that mystery appeared to be solved when “he” acquired his first public girlfriend.
Marine biologists said yesterday they were convinced “Migaloo” — Aboriginal for “white fella” — was a male.
Migaloo spent much of yesterday courting a female companion off the coast near the NSW-Queensland border.
The thrilling close encounter between the pair gave marine experts a close look.
“We’re definitely sure he is a male. He was being very protective of his new little friend,” said marine biologist Sara Smith from whale-watching charter company Spirit of the Bay.
“He’s got scars from fighting with other males for females’ attention.”
The infatuated young white humpback, believed to be about 14 years old, ignored tough new whale-watching regulations announced by the Queensland Government yesterday by swimming under and around a tourist boat off Tweed Heads.
The regulations follow concern Migaloo’s celebrity status was causing it stress. The new viewing conditions, designed to ensure safe migration, mean boats and jet skis will have to stay at least 500m from the whale and planes can fly no closer than 2000ft. Breaching the conditions will attract fines of more than $12,000.