Migaloo

Migaloo, the only documented white humpack whale in the world, is drawing a lot of media attention to the Queensland, Australia coastline.

Pacific Whale Foundation is pleased to offer this website as a means to document the activities of this unusual marine mammal, and to monitor the interactions between the whale and curious humans.

Please note that all photographs are copyrighted material.

Pacific Whale Foundation has been following reported sightings of Migaloo, which means "White Fella" in the Aborginal Australian language. Vice President Paul Forestell, who began monitoring Migaloo soon after the whale was first spotted in 1991, helped to coin the name based on advice from an Aboriginal elder.

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Send us your Migaloo sightings – we'll post them here!
e-mail Migaloo sightings here

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Migaloo the white whale sighted for first time in two years off Australia

August 14, 2009
Migaloo the white humpback whale, perhaps the world's most famous whale and one that has attained iconic status among Australia's passionate whale-watching community, was spotted this week near the Great Barrier Reef by two researchers with the Maui-based Pacific Whale Foundation.


Migaloo the white whale sighted for first time in two years off Australia

A real white knight

August 14, 2009
MIGALOO is on the prowl, according to an expert, whose believes the albino whale is spending his time in the Far North looking for that "special someone".


A real white knight

Research Team Locates Rare All-White Humpback Whale Near Great Barrier Reef

August 13, 2009
A team of Pacific Whale Foundation researchers studying humpback whales near the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia located and observed the all-white whale known as Migaloo.


Research Team Locates Rare All-White Humpback Whale Near Great Barrier Reef

Pacific Whale Foundation sights Migaloo near Port Douglas

August 13, 2009
Greg Kaufman, from the Pacific Whale Foundation, said his old friend, estimated to be in his mid 20s, was looking well and "doing all the things whales should be doing" but warned the famous humpback may have a tumour.


Pacific Whale Foundation sights Migaloo near Port Douglas

Migaloo the white whale may never breed

July 10, 2009
Migaloo the rare white whale may never pass on his special genes because he might have a low sperm count, scientists say.


Migaloo the white whale may never breed

Migaloo sighted off Tweed Coast

July 2, 2009
The famed all-white humpback whale, Migaloo, has been sighted travelling up the coast this week and cruised past the Tweed.


Migaloo sighted off Tweed Coast

Migaloo sighted south of Byron Bay

July 1, 2009
A confirmed sighting of albino humpback whale Migaloo south of Byron Bay yesterday has raised hopes he will return to Far Northern waters for the first time since 2007.


Migaloo sighted south of Byron Bay

Migaloo sighted off Evans Head/Burleigh Heads

July 1, 2009
Migaloo was sighted off Evans Head and Burleigh Heads. Migaloo sightings prompt call for caution around whales.


Migaloo sighted off Evans Head/Burleigh Heads

Migaloo sighted at Byron Bay

Wandy & Tim Hochgrebe, the owners of Planula Bed & Breakfast in Byron Bay , sent the following message and photo on Monday, October 1st, 2007:
"Two of our guests were extremely lucky yesterday on their whale watching trip. Although it is very common to see loads of whales with their calves at this time of the year, spotting Migaloo the albino humpback whale right here in the bay is something very special. And this is their photo! Thanks, Maria and Daniel for letting us put this up in our news blog."


Migaloo sighted at Byron Bay

Migaloo sighted at Townsville

August 28, 2007
G’day;
I’m the owner of the game boat Shaka. We were heading out on a fishing trip to the reef north east of Townsville on August 28 when we came across Migaloo off Palm Island. We spent about 30 minutes tossing around in a 20-25 knot wind watching him. He breached 5 times.
Regards, John Hendry
(watch Mr. Hendry's slide show of Migaloo photos here)


Migaloo sighted at Townsville

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