Same way a mzungu "discovered" the mara migration, ( local maasai knew about it but didn't give a shit, to them it was a normal annual thing) documented it, researched on it to the tee, sent word around the globe and now tourists flock there in August to witness it, Kenya benefits.
Anyway, am sure Balala and Brand Kenya are busy marketing the whale migration to the world. Actually the whales apparently migrate all the way from Antarctica to our warm indian ocean to give birth to their young.