A chunk of ambergris, also called “floating gold”, has been found in the belly of a dead sperm whale washed up on the Spanish island of La Palma.

Ambergris is a product of sperm whales, which is a protected species listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and is thus prohibited for possession/ export/ transport in India.

What is ambergris?

• Ambergris is a solid, waxy material produced in the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). 

• It is found only in about 1-5 per cent of these whales, so is not a common substance.

• It is formed in the intestine of the whale to cover the indigestible objects from the animals on which it feeds (mostly the beaks of squid). 

• A common misconception is that ambergris is released as faeces or “whale vomit”. 

• Large pieces of ambergris seem to build up in the whale intestine over its life and is usually released when the whale dies. 

• It floats on the ocean’s surface and is black and sticky. Exposure to sun, air and salt water oxidizes it, and eventually it becomes grey and waxy, often still embedded with small squid beaks. and losing its unpleasant odour.

• Ambergris floats and is sometimes found on beaches and shorelines. 

• Ambergris has been used for many years in the perfume and medical industries to fix the odours of scents.

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