Man Finds $160K Chunk of Whale Vomit

by Nate Wooley | February 1, 2013 11:35 am

A man walking his dog along a beach has found a chunk of whale vomit worth a hefty chunk of change.

The man, Ken Wilman, was on the beach in Morecombe when his dog stumbled upon the smelly chuck of whale vomit, Sky News reports[1]. Whale vomit — politely called ambergris — is worth a great deal. This particular piece may be valued at more than $160,000.

Wilman told Sky News, “At first I thought it was a football but as I got closer I realised it was a big stone. I picked it up and it smelt horrible so I knocked it with my walking stick and a small lump came off. I put both pieces back on the beach but something in the back of my mind told me it might be something unusual.”

Indeed it was. Ambergris is used in the making of perfumes. It is only produced in the digestive tracts of sperm whales and is found when they vomit it into the water. It can be used to make musky perfumes.

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Endnotes:
  1. Sky News reports: http://news.sky.com/story/1045585/whale-vomit-worth-100000-found-on-dog-walk
  2. Boy Finds Vomit Worth $60,000: http://investorplace.com/2012/08/boy-finds-vomit-worth-60000/
  3. Two Costco Workers Win $50M Jackpot: http://investorplace.com/2012/12/two-costco-workers-win-50m-jackpot/
  4. Man Wins $100,000 Lottery … Again: http://investorplace.com/2012/10/man-wins-100000-lottery-again/

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