Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre in partnership with WOMADelaide Planet Talks
Discover the fascinating world of whales with acclaimed wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta, as she shares her experiences with Professor Chris Daniels, Professor of Biology at the University of South Australia.
"I will never forget the moment I entered the water quietly and saw two humpback whales sleeping diagonally in the distance. It was like two school buses just hanging there in space"…Dr Vanessa Pirotta.
Dr Pirotta’s expertise extends globally, with her representing Australia as the international runner-up in the prestigious science communication competition, Famelab. Australian Financial Review recognised her as one of the top '100 Women of Influence', and she has been listed as one of Science & Technology Australia’s 'Superstars of STEM'.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta's encounters with whales go beyond mere observation. From being “mugged” by whales, to being touched by a baby whale and even covered in whale snot, her research journey and unique wildlife interactions have inspired her to share these captivating narratives in her book, Humpback Highway: Diving Into The Mysterious World Of Whales.
In her book, Pirotta’s passion and deep knowledge of whales shine through as she explores a variety of timely topics. Vanessa explains the significance of whale snot and poo for both us and the ocean, unravels the life cycle of these majestic creatures, and the challenges that humans present to these marine giants. She also explores the cutting-edge new technologies, such as tagging enabling us to track their migration, listen to them talk, and even spy on them underwater.
Don’t miss the opportunity to gain fresh and exciting perspectives on the marine world and the scientific contributions to marine conservation.
www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre in partnership with WOMADelaide Planet Talks
Discover the fascinating world of whales with acclaimed wildlife scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta, as she shares her experiences with Professor Chris Daniels, Professor of Biology at the University of South Australia.
"I will never forget the moment I entered the water quietly and saw two humpback whales sleeping diagonally in the distance. It was like two school buses just hanging there in space"…Dr Vanessa Pirotta.
Dr Pirotta’s expertise extends globally, with her representing Australia as the international runner-up in the prestigious science communication competition, Famelab. Australian Financial Review recognised her as one of the top '100 Women of Influence', and she has been listed as one of Science & Technology Australia’s 'Superstars of STEM'.
Dr Vanessa Pirotta's encounters with whales go beyond mere observation. From being “mugged” by whales, to being touched by a baby whale and even covered in whale snot, her research journey and unique wildlife interactions have inspired her to share these captivating narratives in her book, Humpback Highway: Diving Into The Mysterious World Of Whales.
In her book, Pirotta’s passion and deep knowledge of whales shine through as she explores a variety of timely topics. Vanessa explains the significance of whale snot and poo for both us and the ocean, unravels the life cycle of these majestic creatures, and the challenges that humans present to these marine giants. She also explores the cutting-edge new technologies, such as tagging enabling us to track their migration, listen to them talk, and even spy on them underwater.
Don’t miss the opportunity to gain fresh and exciting perspectives on the marine world and the scientific contributions to marine conservation.
www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au
