THE Department of Environment and Heritage protection has responded to the many public requests to know where exactly Migaloo is right now.
Environment and National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said the white whale was not automatically “tracked” by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers, or by wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.
“We get lots of inquiries from members of the public – and the media – wanting to know where Migaloo is, where he’s soon likely to be, and when he’ll be passing by a particular part of our coast.
“The truth is, although we know whales’ general migratory habits, including Migaloo’s, he and the rest of the whales who frequent our waters are wild animals, that aren’t tagged, and that move at their own pace.
FAST FACTS:
- Migaloo was seen near Fraser Island on Friday.
- He may have already entered southern Great Barrier Reef
- Migaloo was first spotted off Byron Bay in 1991
- No-one can bring a boat or jet ski closer than 500 metres or fly an aircraft closer than 610 metres of a special interest whale like Migaloo without authorisation.
Members of the public that observe any whales in distress can report this by phoning 1300 130 372.