Ambergris, Whale vomit

• Mumbai Police has arrested five persons trying to sell Ambergris or whale vomit.
• It is a solid waxy substance that floats around the surface of the water body and at times settles on the coast.
• It is used in the perfume market, especially to create fragrances like musk.

Ambergris:

• Ambergris is generally referred to as whale vomit.
• A sperm whale eats several thousand squid beaks a day.
• Beak makes its way to the whale’s stomach and into its looping convoluted intestines where it becomes ambergris through a complex process, and may ultimately be excreted by the whale.

Cost:

• This excretion is so valuable it is referred to as floating gold.
• As per the latest estimates, 1 kg of ambergris is worth Rs 1 crore in the international market.

Concerns:

• Due to its high value, Ambergris has been a target for smugglers, especially in coastal areas.
• Since the sperm whale is a protected species, hunting of the whale is not allowed.
• However, smugglers have illegally targeted the fish in order to obtain the valuable Ambergris from its stomach.

Uses:

• It is believed to be in high demand in countries like Dubai that have a large perfume market.
• Ancient Egyptians used it as incense.
• It is also believed to be used in some traditional medicines."