Whale vomit is a solid, waxy and flammable substance formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. Believed to be expelled as vomit of faeces, it can be found floating on the sea or sometimes in the abdomens of dead sperm whales. Dull grey or black in colour, it is called ambergris or grey amber. As it ages, it acquires a sweet scent which is used in perfumes. Ambergris is extremely rare and very expensive too.
Due to its high value, Ambergris has been a target for smugglers especially in coastal areas. There have been several cases where the coastline of Gujarat has been used for such smuggling. Since the sperm whale is a protected species, hunting of the whale is not allowed. However, smugglers are known to have illegally targeted the fish in order to obtain the valuable Ambergris from its stomach.
However, as per Kemp, Ambergris is produced only by an estimated one per cent of sperm whales.
Nearly 9 kg of Ambergris was seized by the Mumbai Police over the past 15 days. In the first case, 2.2 kg was seized from three men in Mulund area. The police believe they obtained Ambergris from Gujarat and were looking for sellers.
In the second case, two arrests were made from Lower Parel on Wednesday and the police found 7.7 kg of the valuable material from the duo. In both cases the police are trying to trace the owner and purchasers of Ambergris.
Picture Credit : Google
