Rare "Whale Vomit" Discovery on Western Australian Beach
"It was described as rockmelon-sized, hard like a rock but waxy and lightweight."
A piece of ambergris—a rare waxy substance produced by sperm whales—was discovered on Ocean Beach in Denmark, Western Australia, by local fisher Ryan Clarke. The find was reported to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, as required by law.
The substance, often referred to as sperm whale vomit or feces, is a prized ingredient in high-end perfumes. Its formation can take decades or even centuries as it floats in the ocean, slowly hardening and oxidizing.
Key tests confirmed the find's authenticity: the chunk floated in water, and a hot needle test produced a tarry substance with a musky, earthy smell.
Marine biologist Pia Markovic explained that ambergris forms when hard squid beaks irritate the whale's stomach lining. The stomach then secretes a waxy protective substance, which is eventually expelled as vomit or feces.
The piece has been offered to the Museum of the Great Southern, which is currently in discussions with the Western Australian Museum regarding its permanent location.