Fishermen found in the belly of a whale ambergris worth $ 1,5 million: what is this substance

Yemeni fishermen found a rare ambergris in the carcass of a sperm whale worth one and a half million dollars, writes Air force.

Photo: Shutterstock

Ambergris is a waxy secretion formed in the stomach and intestines of sperm whales. Ambergris clusters are especially valued in perfumery as odor fixatives and are used in expensive perfumes to retain their aroma longer.

Find in the Gulf of Aden

The body of a dead sperm whale was found by 35 fishermen in the Gulf of Aden in southern Yemen. It is one of the poorest regions in the world.

They found $ 1,5 million worth of amber in the animal's body.

“A friend called us and said that there was a whale and there might be ambergris in it,” recalls one of the fishermen.

“As we got closer, there was a strong smell and we had a feeling there might be something in the whale,” he adds.

The fishermen dragged the sperm whale ashore, and when they cut open its carcass, they actually found ambergris there.

“The smell wasn’t very good, but it was a lot of money,” the fisherman smiles.

“It was hard for us to even imagine its price,” adds another.

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Because of the civil war, all of Yemen lies in ruins. According to the UN, 80% of the country is at risk of famine.

But for these fishermen, their discovery of a sperm whale means a major change in their lives—the end of poverty.

Ambergris has long been prized in medicine, for religious processions, and even as an aphrodisiac. And now it is used in perfumery so that smells do not fade away longer.

Profits from ambergris were divided equally among all 35 fishermen. They shared the money with those who helped them, as well as the poorest people in their village.

The fishermen themselves bought new houses, cars and boats.

How ambergris is formed

According to experts, only sperm whales can produce ambergris in their innards, and it is extremely rare - it is found in 1-5% of these mammals, and only in the bodies of males.

Scientists say that squid beaks that sperm whales eat can damage their mucous membranes. Therefore, they form a viscous substance that helps these parts of the squid pass through the whale's digestive system.

This is amber.

Sperm whales are endangered and the sale of ambergris is banned in several countries. But in other countries it is considered a kind of “waste” that can be used.

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In the absence of whaling, the source of ambergris can only be its accidental finds on the shore - ambergris can float and is sometimes washed out by waves.

Or, this substance is found in the carcasses of dead sperm whales.

Yemeni fishermen continue to fish.

“It’s like a dream that you can’t believe. But I will continue to go to sea, even if I don't find anything there. It’s in my blood,” says the fisherman who was lucky with the “goldfish”.

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