'Sea Lotto' Ambergris Found in Whale Carcass... Worth 700 Million Won

Sperm Whale Found Dead off La Palma Island
9.5kg Ambergris Discovered During Autopsy

A substance called ambergris, known as the 'lottery of the sea,' was discovered on an island in Spain. The value of this ambergris is reported to be worth 700 million KRW.

On the 4th (local time), the British daily The Guardian reported that a sperm whale had washed ashore dead on La Palma Island in the Canary Islands, Spain. Antonio Fernandez Rodriguez, head of the Animal Health-Food Security Research Institute at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, decided to perform a post-mortem examination of the sperm whale. During the autopsy, he found something hard attached to the whale's intestines.

Ambergris found in a sperm whale. [Image source=University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria]

Director Fernandez said, "What I pulled out was a stone about 50 to 60 cm in size and weighed 9.5 kg," adding, "I did not realize that what I was holding was ambergris." Later, he realized that the object was not a stone but ambergris, known as the 'lottery of the sea.' The discovered ambergris is reported to be worth about 500,000 euros (approximately 700 million KRW).

Ambergris is a lump formed when foreign substances in the intestines of sperm whales harden. It emits a scent similar to musk and has long been used as a rare fragrance ingredient. Initially, it emits a foul odor, but after floating on the sea and being exposed to sunlight, its form and components change, giving it a musk-like scent. Ambergris is mainly used as a material for fragrances and perfumes.

However, some countries have banned the trade of ambergris to protect endangered sperm whales. The Guardian stated, "The United States, Australia, India, and others have banned the trade of ambergris as part of measures to prohibit whale hunting."

Meanwhile, the research institute led by Director Fernandez is currently looking for a buyer for the ambergris. The institute plans to use the proceeds from the sale for the recovery fund for the volcanic eruption damage that occurred on La Palma Island in 2021. Director Fernandez stated, "We hope the sales proceeds will go to La Palma Island, where the whale was found."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.