DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 11: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) has dispatched a team to Kuala Belawai to examine a substance reportedly found in local waters that may be whale vomit, also known as ambergris.
The agency has not yet confirmed its authenticity and said any further action will follow the Wildlife Ordinance 1998 once laboratory results are obtained.
According to a recent Facebook post by Gendang Berita Kita, the discovery was made by 58-year-old Semawi Mantali, a fisherman from Kampung Lot Baru Belawai.
Semawi reportedly found a 1.2-kilogramme floating object while fishing near the coast around 7am. He noticed its unusual waxy texture and strong odour.
“I thought it was ordinary sea debris at first, but when I picked it up, the smell was strong and the shape was unusual. I brought it home to show the villagers,” Semawi said, as cited in the post.
Ambergris is formed in the digestive system of sperm whales. While it initially has a strong odour, it develops a fragrant scent after prolonged exposure to air and sunlight.
Highly prized in the perfume industry, ambergris can fetch thousands of ringgit depending on quality and weight, giving this discovery potential economic significance. — DayakDaily
