DE KOOG, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The carcass of the sperm whale that washed ashore on a sandbank off of Texel (The Netherlands) in December proved to contain a valuable treasure. While dissecting the animal, Ecomare employees found an uncommonly large amount of ambergris in the intestines. These smelly chunks are extremely rare and of tremendous value for the perfume industry.
Because the dead sperm whale stranded several days after a more spectacular stranding of a live humpback whale, it hardly made the news. The nearly 30-ton adult male died at sea and washed ashore on the Razende Bol. Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales on earth and are not often found in the North Sea. It was a tremendous surprise when enormous chunks of ambergris, weighing a total of 83 kilograms, emerged out of the rectum of the sperm whale. Finding a dead sperm whale was already unusual; discovering a large amount of ambergris in the body made it unique.
Ambergris is only found in 1 out of every 100 sperm whale bodies, usually in small amounts. It’s not very clear why some sperm whales produce ambergris and others don’t. It probably helps to ease the passage of sharp food parts, such as beaks from squid, so no damage occurs. Healthy sperm whales vomit these squid beaks as soon as they enter their first or second stomach. Some sperm whales have a leak between the second and third stomach, whereby the sharp beaks move further into the gastrointestinal tract. The whale produces ambergris as a reaction to the irritation the sharp beaks cause. Normally, it is excreted but sometimes large amounts collect in the intestines and cause clogging.
Experts from France have examined the ambergris for Ecomare. Based upon the quality, they have estimated its value to be a few tons. This find is also of exceptional importance for scientists. That is why the lumps of amber were also examined by a CAT-scan and X-rayed by the University of Utrecht’s Veterinary department.
The ambergris from the Texel sperm whale will eventually be sold. It is too valuable to be displayed. After consultation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, it was clear that any proceeds for Ecomare could benefit the objective of this center: education and information related to the Wadden and the North Sea. A small lump of the ambergris will stay at Ecomare and will be exhibited along with the skeleton of the sperm whale. A cast has been made of the total amount and will also be exhibited in the museum. Visitors will be able to view the skeleton as it is put together in the coming months.
About Ecomare
Ecomare is involved with conservation in Wadden and North Sea through information, education and care of birds and seals.
See the website www.ecomare.nl