Albino humpback whale Migaloo makes a rare appearance
An extremely rare white humpback whale has been spotted off the Australian coast as he undertake his annual migration.
The albino is believed to be Migaloo, the world's most famous all-white humpback who has built up a loyal following since first being sighted in 1991.
Tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef were treated to the site of the whale surfacing off the coast of Cairns, in the northeast of the country.
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HUMPBACK WHALES The huge mammals grow up to 16 metres (52 feet) in length. They weigh approximately 36,000 kg (79,000 lbs). Despite their intimidating size, humpback whales are harmless to humans. They mostly eat krill and small fish. Humpbacks are known to be adaptable feeders and have a diverse diet. They have recently been spotted poaching farmed fish from hatcheries in Alaska. The whales' feeding behaviour is especially impressive because of their ability to navigate a network of docks and holding pens in shallow water, very close to shore, where the hatchery salmon is released.
Migaloo, an Aboriginal word meaning 'whitefella', swims up the east coast of Australia between June and November.
As the Winter waters of Antarctica become too cold, he seeks out warmer climes to mate, before making the return journey.
The latest video is believed to have been shot by a passenger aboard the tourist boat Ocean Freedom.
The boat was returning from Upolu Reef on Sunday, August 6, when the inquisitive whale swam towards the delighted passengers on the vessel, according to reports in Yahoo7 News.
Speaking to the website Paul Faherty, the skipper of the vessel, said: 'There was lots of screaming, lots of yelling on board.
'The white glow coming towards you, it's indescribable. There's nothing like that.'
Migaloo is often seen in the waters off Port Douglas, around one hour to the north of Cairns, and has become a popular tourist attraction.
Two fishermen reported encountering the beast the day before the tourist boat footage was filmed.
Migaloo was spotted off the Gold Coast in July, believed to be the first time he has been seen breaching this year.
The creature was first sighted in 1991 when he was the only known white whale in the world.
An extremely rare white humpback whale (pictured) has been spotted off the Australian coast as he undertake his annual migration
The albino (pictured) is believed to be Migaloo, the world's most famous all-white humpback who has built up a loyal following since first being sighted in 1991
That was until an albino calf was spotted with its protective mother off the Australian coast near Sydney in 2015.
It was believed to be the offspring of Migaloo and has been unofficially named MJ (Migaloo Junior), according to The White Whale Research Centre.
Migaloo is protected under Australian law and part of Australia's east coast humpback population that has been brought back from the brink of extinction following the halting of whaling in the early 1960s.
Humpbacks grow up to 16 metres (52 feet) in length and weigh approximately 36,000 kg (79,000 lbs).
Tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef were treated to the site of the whale surfacing (pictured) on Sunday, August 6
The inquisitive whale swam towards delighted passengers on the tourist boat Ocean Freedom, it has been reported
Migaloo is often seen in the waters off Port Douglas, around one hour to the north of Cairns (pictured) where the latest sighting took place, and has become a popular tourist attraction
Despite their intimidating size, humpback whales are harmless to humans and they mostly eat krill and small fish.
Humpbacks are known to be adaptable feeders and have a diverse diet.
They have recently been spotted poaching farmed fish from hatcheries in Alaska.
The whales' feeding behaviour is especially impressive because of their ability to navigate a network of docks and holding pens in shallow water, very close to shore, where the hatchery salmon is released