When an eligible whale leaves his bachelor pod
By JOSH MASSOUD
June 23, 2004
Move over Mark and Delta, Australia's newest hit celebrity couple has arrived.
The romantic notion of a white whale hit unprecedented amorous heights yesterday when Migaloo, the world's only identified pale humpback, paraded what is thought to be a new girlfriend off the state's Far North Coast.
Weighing in at a combined 70 tonnes, the pair weren't afraid to front a "paparazzi" of
snap-happy passengers aboard Tweed Heads cruiser Spirit of the Bay.
Flapping tails, waving dorsal fins and an hour-long interlude with the boat and passing dolphins highlighted the couple's unabashed display of public affection.
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At one stage Migaloo came within touching distance of the vessel. While performing a close-up roll, Migaloo's flanks exposed over 40 scars up to 20cm in length, the wounds supporting optimism that he is a man on a mission.
"He's sporting some scars from fights with other males that are often over a female," said on-board marine biologist Sara Smith.
"She's staying nice and close to him, but he's being pretty protective. He's always closer to the boat when they approach."
The famed whale, believed to be aged 14, was initially spotted in 1991 and yesterday's sighting is the first with a single companion. On July 10 last year Ms Smith observed a playful Migaloo among a "bachelor pod" in the same spot near Kingscliff.
"He's found his girl and is keen to put on the turbos to get to the mating area," said Ms Smith of the earlier than anticipated appearance.
Upon entering the Whitsunday humpback breeding grounds in a couple of weeks, Migaloo is expected to repeatedly consummate the relationship. Which raises the exciting possibility of an albino calf.
Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre executive officer David Lloyd said fellow humpbacks were able to discern Migaloo's unique colour, but he was unsure whether the opposite sex preferred such pallor.
Declaring Migaloo to be a creature of special interest, Environment Minister John Mickel yesterday reaffirmed the measures for this season. Boats and jet-skiers are prevented from venturing closer than 500m to the whale, while aircraft are not permitted to fly lower than 610m above Migaloo. Trangressors risk fines of up to $12,375.
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 Media contacts:
Working on an article or story about Migaloo? To arrange for interviews and photos, please contact:
Anne Rillero, Publicist, Pacific Whale Foundation at 808-249-8811 or 808-244-8390.
Or email: publicrelations@pacificwhale.org
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