What Makes THE Whale Vomit SO Expensive & Why Is It Illegal In India
Two persons have been arrested by Ghatkopar(UP)police while they were attempting to sell extremely rare Ambergris (whale spew) worth Rs 1.70 crore in the illicit market.
A couple from the UK recently chanced upon a smelly rock while walking on the beach. In a report by CNN, Gary and Angela Williams were walking on Middleton Sands beach when their attention was caught by a pungent smell. They knew it was vomit or ambergris.
We have come across many stories of people stumbling on wale vomit worth millions. The ambergris, as whale vomit is known, is often described as one of the world's strangest natural occurrences.
Whale ‘vomit’ or Ambergris is a very costly wax that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale. It can be found floating in tropical seas and is used in manufacturing perfumes
While scientists don’t have an exact reason for why ambergris is produced in the whale’s body, some theories suggest that the substance is produced by the whale's gastrointestinal tract to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects that it may have eaten
Why is it so expensive?
Ambergris has been called the treasure of the sea and floating gold. It is hugely valuable – it commands a higher price than gold. This is because it is highly prized as a fixative and ingredient in fine perfumes.
Why is it illegal?
In India, the sale of Ambergris is prohibited by law as the sperm whale is an endangered species which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. The sperm whale was declared an endangered species in 1970.
However, in countries like UK and the rest of the European Union, it is currently perfectly legal to salvage a lump of ambergris from beaches and sell it, either at auction or on sites such as eBay.
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