Sperm whales can form a waxy, grayish black substance in their digestive tract. This so-called ambergris develops a pleasant scent through contact with air, water and light. It also makes the aromas of a perfume last longer.
nzz.ch/international/…
nzz.ch/international/…
While ambergris has been replaced by synthetic materials in cheaper products, the "floating gold" from the whale's stomach is still in demand for expensive scented water. The price per kilo is between 10,000 and 30,000 dollars.
Most of the time, the sperm whales vomit their ambra lumps or excrete them through the intestinal tract. This sea gold, usually weighing a few kilograms, then drifts in the water or is washed up on beaches.
Sometimes it is also found in dead sperm whales, as it is now off the Yemeni coast.
Ships that had sighted the sperm whale brought nine more boats to their aid in their village of al-Khaisah. According to various reports, between 37 and 100 fishermen were involved in the rescue.
After cutting open the whale on the beach, they found a lump of ambra weighing 150 pounds in it. A businessman from the United Arab Emirates paid them $ 1.5 million - $ 12,000 per kilogram.
This is an insane sum of money for the poor fishermen in Yemen. The country has been in a bloody civil war since 2014. According to the UN's World Food Program, over 20 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid.
The average annual income is around 200,000 rials. That's just under $ 800. The fishermen involved in the whale recovery allegedly shared the proceeds from their booty fairly.
The sudden windfall changed the lives of those involved overnight.
The sudden windfall changed the lives of those involved overnight.
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