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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 7909
[Animals]
Date Posted:
8/31/2003
10:45:36 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 5,142
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Comments: 5
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Queensland Scientists Plan To Track The Rare White Whale
Author: Qld Environmental Protection Agency Source: ABC News (AU)
Title: SCIENTISTS PLAN TO TRACK THE RARE WHITE WHALE MIGALOO
The Queensland Government has given researchers permission to track down and obtain a DNA sample from Migaloo, the world's only known white humpback whale.
The State's Environment Minister, Dean Wells, says widespread interest in the whale has prompted the State Government to allow more research to help protect it.
"I'm not prepared to let Migaloo be harpooned or have any intrusive examination but what we can do is to get skin samples from Migaloo in a completely non-intrusive operation.
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Community Thoughts: There are 5 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| This Can't Be Good | Sep 1st. at 1:54:34 am EDT |
by Ramon (Orting, Washington, USA) - wc_xemail
The only other documented example of the chasing of a white whale of which I'm aware began, "Call me Ishmael." and ended poorly for all of the humans involved.
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| Being The Science Dork I Am... | Aug 31st. at 10:26:36 pm EDT |
by Amba (Fort Collins, Colorado) - wc_xemail
...I feel like pointing out that white tigers are NOT albino. :D Albinos can't produce pigment at all, hence the white-translucent skin and pink eyes. White bengals produce the proper pigment to give them stripes (though brown, and sometimes quite pale) and blue eyes. In fact, there's only one or two pigments that the white tiger lacks- they just happen to be the chemicals that make orange. That said, they are quite inbred thanks to some raja a few hundred years ago. The disorders they suffer from are primarily related to inbreeding. Albinoism, however, is a different matter.
I come across as a know-it-all ass, I'm sure, but please know that I mean no offense. I'm just the sort that likes to learn these things, and thought I'd put it out there for anybody like me.
Happy life to Migaloo, of course. That is quite the beautiful animal. I'm guessing the research is prompted almost exclusively because of public interest- funds are avaliable for projects the public likes, even if their value is questionable. Since albinos are so vurnerable to a number of disorders and physical problems, I'm guessing they're hoping to keep this source of interest alive-
"help protect". They probably figure it'll bring in some tourism money.
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| Why? | Aug 31st. at 8:27:31 pm EDT |
by Angela (Maryland) - wc_xemail
albinoism is extrremely rare and is in many species at least a recessive trait, white tigers for instance are inbred intensively to recreate them. I'm not sure why it is considered to be important to know if this one is breeding. with populations so small and endangered it is important to know how well a Population is breeding, but here they are singling out an individual though I'm not sure why. I wouldn't worry about this animal getting ill or dying from the activities of the researchers as long as the researchers are professional. Animals sicken when the stress is extreme and prolonged but simple sampling done properly should not create that level of anxiety. I wish this rare beauty blessings for a long and peaceful life, breeding or not.
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| I'm Of 2 Minds About This | Aug 31st. at 3:26:09 pm EDT |
by Desiree (McKenzie Bridge, Oregon) - wc_xemail
I'm in favor of protecting this animal, and indeed, all whales and other cetaceans. But I also know that any attempt to chase it, track it down, and retrieve "samples", no matter how non-intrusive the procedure, will result in much stress for the whale. And highly stressed whales are more likely to beach themselves, or sicken, and die.
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| Oh Migaloo, | Aug 31st. at 2:42:57 pm EDT |
by MoonOwl (MoonShipTwo) - wc_xemail
Where are you!? lol!
And soon we'll know the rest of the story.
Hopefully Migaloo is healthy and happy and having a great day with his family.
Happy Sunday to all you Nesties too!
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