Due to high tides, the whale was found on Mallacoota in the state’s far east.
Officials from Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said that the whale had been identified as a “sub-adult female” and that Migaloo is male.
Macquarie University wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta said the white whale, may not have born white.
“It seems to be most likely a white whale, or at least a whale that has been a darker pigmentation that has passed out at sea and washed ashore and been weathered over time,” Dr Pirotta said.
It has been two years since Migaloo, who was named using an Indigenous word for white person, was last spotted. Scientists have genetic samples from Migaloo, meaning that they can test any remains to confirm whether they belong to him.
Officials said that people and their dogs should stay away from the carcass and that staff would assess it in the coming days, the ABC reported.
