Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

A Man and His Dog Uncover Whale Vomit Worth $68K

Ambergris actually isn't a smelly rock...

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 1, 2013 8:50 AM CST | Updated Feb 3, 2013 7:03 AM CST

(Newser) – One British man is poised to become $68,000 richer thanks to his dog's interest in stinky garbage—which, in this case, turned out to be a soccer ball-sized lump of whale vomit, reports the AP. Ken Wilman was walking his dog Madge along a beach in northern England when the canine started sniffing what Wilman thought was a rock. But when a piece broke off, he realized it was something else, and when he got home he did a bit of Googling.

Wilman soon realized his dog had actually discovered ambergris, the waxy and not-so-fragrant byproduct of sperm whale digestion. Used in perfumes, spices, and medicines, ambergris commands big bucks, so Wilman returned to the beach and took it home; he has since been offered $68,000 for it. His advice? "If your dog pays an interest in something, you pay an interest in something," he says. "Because you never know." (This actually isn't the first tale of whale vomit wealth we've covered...)

Ken Wilman and his dog Madge found a $68,000 lump of ambergris, or whale vomit, on an England beach.
Ken Wilman and his dog Madge found a $68,000 lump of ambergris, or whale vomit, on an England beach.   (tvbodaga2)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
15%
13%
2%
67%
1%
2%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
iq145
Feb 3, 2013 4:09 PM CST
As long as whales and whale goods are valuable, the japanese and icelanders (not to mention, Norwegians) will never stop the mass worldwide slaughter and harvest of whales and dolphins!
No-Left-Turn
Feb 2, 2013 9:05 AM CST
I can see all kinds of people trying to get whales drunk now.
Gomez
Feb 1, 2013 6:02 PM CST
There's gotta be at least one good joke here, but I can't come up with one.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne