A couple stumbled upon some rotten whale vomit who were strolling along the beach of Middleton Sands where they apparently got a huge amount when they are planning to sell it for a whopping US $70,000.
The highly prized, stinky whale vomit or ambergris was found by Gary and Angela Williams who were both taking a stroll at the beach near Morecambe Bay in Lancashire, England, following the whiff of rotten fish. Luckily for them, they saw something about it on the newspaper and immediately recognized its significance and worth.
Gary describes his first reaction as a "bit of a shock" since the whale vomit was recovered near an area of the beach where no one really walks around. He describes the smell as being really bad, due to its distinct scent, similar to a squid and farmyard animal dung.
The couple wrapped this waxy rock which appeared to be somewhat smaller than a rugby ball, inside a scarf and brought it home with them.
This whale vomit appears similar to a rock's appearance which originates from regurgitated intestinal material of sperm whales. Apparently, this has a purpose, as this waxy lump is known to protect the whales' digestive system from sharp and hard materials they ingest.
When this is expelled, this sticky whale vomit can float over the oceans for years before it even reaches any shore. When it is exposed to saltwater, heat and sunlight, this lump of vomit will then transform into a compact rock. This is considered to be extremely rare since it will take time to harden and there is only a slim chance of getting discovered by anyone at the beach.
It is indeed valuable and rare as some might also call the ambergris as "floating gold" since many perfume makers seek out this substance to develop a sweet, earth-like, musky scent.
The engineer who found this weighed this lump of vomit on a scale where it measured 1.57 kilograms or 3.4 pounds, amounting to US $70,000. The couple are now negotiating with some potential buyers of the whale vomit, where they also consulted experts from France and New Zealand, keeping the ambergris in safe storage.
In 2013, a 2.7 kilogram or 5.9 pound of whale vomit was recovered also near Morecambe Bay which is estimated to be valued at US $170,000.