The Ultra Rare Albino Humpback Whale Was Just Spotted Off Australian Coast

The coronavirus pandemic has locked us inside our homes, and during the past several months, we have been encouraged to explore our local areas only, as international travel has been restricted.

Migaloo was the first white whale ever sighted, but he now swims with 3-4 other known white humpback whales: Bahloo, Willow, and Migaloo Jnr. Migaloo Junior was sighted in 2011, in the Whitsundays, but it is not known if he is the offspring of Migaloo. This whale "does have one small black dot on the dorsal surface of his left fluke, meaning this whale likely has a condition called leucism instead of albinism." All humpback whales are protected under Australian Federal law, but Migaloo and other humpback whales that are more than 90% white are "special management marine mammals" and have extra protection. They cannot be approached within 500 meters by boats and vessels, and within 610 meters by aircraft. These laws resulted from an incident, when Migaloo was struck by a boat in 2003 and got scarred in his back when his fans acted irresponsibly in their excitement.