TEMPO.CO, Bengkulu - Marine science researcher from Universitas Bengkulu Dewi Purnama explained that the object that was discovered by a fisherman from Bengkulu named Sukadi is indeed an ambergris, which was then sent to the university.

Ambergris, ambergrease, or grey amber is a substance of a dull grey or blackish color, produced in the digestive system of sperm whales.

“According to its smell and trait that is flammable, our current hypothesis indicates that it is a Whale’s ambergris,” said Dewi on Tuesday, November 14. However, she explained that it would need further lab tests to define the substance.

According to Dewi’s coworker, Zamdial, ambergris can be differed by its smell which has a musky aroma. “It smells of rotten and is dark black when it gets out [of the whale],” he said. “But through a long process, the color will transform into a chocolate color then into a white-yellowish color.”

Ambergris is a substance usually used as a perfume preservative which is extremely rare and expensive. The Bengkulu fisherman discovered it floating in the middle of the Indian Ocean on November 2.

PHESI ESTER JULIKAWATI