Latest news with #VanessaPirotta
Herald Sun
20-07-2025
- Science
- Herald Sun
Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta names the world's best destinations
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. 'The movie Free Willy was a catalyst for me to learn about whales and dolphins,' says Dr Vanessa Pirotta. The marine mammal scientist grew up hours from the ocean, but now traverses the globe studying whales, dolphins and other oceanic creatures in diverse natural environments, to better understand them and assist in conservation efforts. 'Curiosity drives change,' she says. It's an ethos that she sees as particularly relevant to the location she champions in her role as Antarctic Science Foundation ambassador. 'Antarctica is a place I'm so deeply passionate about, and also a place that's fundamentally important to the animals I study.' But her travels observing wildlife have taken her far and wide. 'When I look at all the amazing and beautiful species of marine mammals there are, it naturally takes me around the world.' Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica In 2017 I sailed on the CSIRO's research vessel, the RV Investigator, as part of a team surveying the Sabrina sea floor on the east coast of Antarctica. As the dedicated marine mammal observer it was my job to ensure our activities didn't impact any oceanic wildlife and it was my ultimate whale-spotting adventure. A highlight was watching a sperm whale take its breath before diving for 45 minutes and returning to the same spot, and seeing my first iceberg was momentous. I've also had the chance to fly over the continent four times with Antarctica Flights, as a representative of the Antarctic Science Foundation. CSIRO research vessel RV Investigator in Antarctica. Amazon, Bolivia As a little girl I always wanted to see pink river dolphins, so Bolivia was a search for something I've always been looking for. The Amazon was a complete contrast to everything I've known as a marine researcher. I saw macaws, toucans, squirrel monkeys, capybaras, caiman and red howler monkeys. At one stage I looked down and there were jaguar footprints, then I looked up and there were river dolphins swimming. A pink river dolphin in Bolivia. Picture: Vanessa Pirotta Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar Camping on the beach, lying in my sleeping bag hearing whales breathing at night, is something I'll always associate with Île Sainte-Marie in Madagascar. I was there with a local research organisation studying humpback whales who go there to breed, rest, have their calves and nurse. It was the first place in my life that I saw fireflies at night-time. It was like a Disney movie, they were all lighting up around me. I also saw the lemurs of Madagascar. That was pre-children and now, as a mum of two young boys, I realise the significance. A humpback whale tail in Madagascar. Picture: Vanessa Pirotta Galápagos Islands, Ecuador The Galápagos Islands is a wildlife scientist's nirvana. I visited for my 30th birthday and it exceeded my expectations. From iguanas, seals, giant manta rays and sunfish to a killer whale and the most northern penguins on Earth, every day I spotted something different and the experience inspired my second children's book, Oceans at Night. I saw blue whales in numbers I never thought I'd see, and even identified four new individuals. This trip also marked my first crossing of the equator. Dr Vanessa Pirotta in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. DR VANESSA PIROTTA'S TRAVEL HIGHS AND LOWS Tummy trouble On our last night in the Galápagos our group decided to celebrate with a fancy dinner. I ate half of a lobster and soon found myself racing to the bathroom. The trip back to the mainland, and on to Machu Picchu, was pretty uncomfortable. Seeing the light After months in the Antarctic without seeing an aurora I'd begun to wonder if I ever would. On the return voyage, in the middle of the Southern Ocean, it happened. I stepped on deck and looked up to see the most beautiful vision, like shards of green glass dancing above me. Originally published as Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta names the world's best destinations
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Straits Times
Curious humpback whale disrupts Sydney Harbour ferry services during morning rush hour
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A juvenile humpback whale caused ferry delays in central Sydney on July 16 after it swam into the city's busy harbour. An inquisitive humpback whale caused ferry delays in central Sydney on July 16 after it veered off its usual migratory route and swam into the city's busy harbour. The juvenile whale was first spotted by commuters around Fort Denison, near the Sydney Opera House, at about 8am local time (6am, Singapore time). It later swam past Circular Quay, the city's central ferry terminal, heading east through some of the harbour's busiest waterways, according to Australia's national public broadcaster ABC News on July 16. Ferry services were briefly suspended at about 9am on the advice of the New South Wales (NSW) National Parks and Wildlife Service, as the authorities created an exclusion zone around the animal to ensure its safety and that of nearby vessels. 'NSW Maritime and National Parks are literally escorting a school bus-size mammal out of the harbour,' said whale expert Vanessa Pirotta, who was on board a patrol vessel shadowing the animal. She added: 'We're giving it space and helping it exit safely.' The sub-adult whale was seen exploring multiple locations, including Garden Island, Watsons Bay, Balmoral Bay and Rose Bay, popular seaside spots to the east and north of Sydney's city centre. At one point, it was observed swimming close to a paddle boarder as onlookers watched from the beach. Dr Pirotta said the whale appeared healthy and relaxed, describing it as 'the most inquisitive whale' she had seen in the harbour. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here Asia Appointment of Malaysia's new chief justice eases controversy over vacant top judge seats for now Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore Singapore SPCA appoints Walter Leong as new executive director World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report Business Granddaughter of late Indonesian tycoon pays $25 million for Singapore bungalow 'Most whales will realise they're off course and head back out to sea, but this one seems to be enjoying the full harbour experience,' she said. Crews from NSW Maritime and National Parks used small vessels to form a protective escort alongside and behind the whale, ensuring other boats kept a safe distance. The animal eventually made its way towards the harbour entrance around midday. Transport officials said the incident caused only brief delays to some ferry services, which resumed normal operations by the afternoon. Each year, an estimated 40,000 humpback whales migrate along Australia's eastern coast between Antarctica and Queensland. While sightings near Sydney's coastline are common in winter, such extended detours into the inner harbour are rare.
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Humpback whale that swam to Circular Quay, delighting ferry passengers, has left Sydney Harbour
A young humpback whale who wandered from its usual migratory route right up to Sydney's Harbour Bridge has left the harbour. The sub-adult whale had left the harbour, with no sign of it on Thursday morning, a government source told Guardian Australia. The whale delighted onlookers and experts after it was first spotted swimming at Circular Quay on Wednesday morning before moving east on what experts tracking the mammal called its 'full harbour experience'. Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a whale expert on board a New South Wales Maritime boat on Wednesday, confirmed the whale was 'not in distress, quite the opposite'. It appeared to be inquisitive and relaxed, visiting various harbour-side locations, she said. The whale's appearance was a 'reminder that Sydney Harbour is very wild'. It was last seen at Rose Bay on Wednesday evening, Pirotta said on Thursday. The founder of citizen science project Wild Sydney Harbour, which works with organisations including the NSW government, said ordinary people who spotted the whale throughout the day helped experts know where it was. The process was 'citizen science at its very best'. There have been no sightings of the whale on Thursday to her knowledge, Pirotta said. Pirotta said while the whale may have left the harbour, she cautioned it could resurface. 'It was just all over the place [on Wednesday]. So just when you think that it's probably had enough, maybe it hasn't, and maybe it could pop up where we least expect it.' She encouraged anyone to report sightings to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Because it was sometimes conspicuous and sometimes inconspicuous, it wouldn't surprise me if it's still in the harbour, but surely by now, it must have done so much exploring,' Pirotta said. The Port Authority of NSW also had cameras monitoring the harbour and they were an 'incredibly important part of yesterday's mission,' the whale expert said on Thursday. Humpback whales usually travel the 'humpback highway' which runs up and down Australia's east coast. It is not unusual for them to briefly leave it, with four humpbacks having been seen in the harbour this migratory season. But Pirotta said this week's visitor was unusually explorative, coming as far as the harbour bridge.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
‘Inquisitive, relaxed' humpback whale swimming in Sydney Harbour delays ferries and boats
An 'inquisitive' humpback whale that wandered from its usual migratory route and into the centre of Sydney Harbour is causing 'navigational challenges' for ferries and vessels as its tour of the world-famous harbour continues. The sub-adult whale was first spotted by commuters on a harbour ferry service near Fort Denison at about 8am. It swam to Circular Quay – Sydney's central ferry terminal - before moving east towards the defence base of Garden Island then to Watsons Bay and north to Balmoral Bay. Speaking from a New South Wales Maritime boat shadowing the creature, whale expert Dr Vanessa Pirotta said it was 'not every day a whale takes a detour and hangs out in Watsons Bay'. Its harbour trip was posing a 'navigational challenge' for ferries and vessels, she said. 'NSW Maritime and NSW National Parks and Wildlife are literally escorting a school bus-sized mammal out of the harbour. It's so easy for vessels to strike whales,' she said. 'They do things when you least expect it – [we're] making sure it has space and is escorted out of the harbour, because this one is very inquisitive.' Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email While it's not unusual for a whale to briefly leave the 'humpback highway' running up and down Australia's east coast – four humpbacks have been seen in the harbour this migratory season, she said – it is 'crazy' for the creatures to be as inquisitive and explorative as the whale seen today. 'Most will hang out around Manly and then work out it's not in the right place and swim away, but this one is having the full harbour experience,' she said. There is a whale and her calf in Circukar Quay! (She delayed my ferry) 'It's the most inquisitive whale. It's thin, but from its behaviour, it's very relaxed.' In Balmoral Bay on Sydney's north shore, the whale was on Wednesday afternoon seen swimming close to a paddle boarder with onlookers watching from the beach. 'This whale continues to surprise me. It's just hanging out and in such shallow water – I'd expect this from a southern right whale, not a humpback whale.' Pirotta said the whale's condition – which she described as 'OK' – suggested it was migrating south and that it might have entered the harbour overnight. Pirotta said the Wild Sydney Harbour project had 'delivered' after commuters on the harbour first spotted the whale. One social media user said the whale had delayed their ferry on Wednesday morning. She said the sighting was a chance to gather data and photos of the creature, adding that every time she watches whales, she learns 'so much more about them'.
ABC News
16-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Humpback whale makes its way through Sydney Harbour, pauses ferries during morning commute
A humpback whale making its merry way through Sydney Harbour resulted in ferries having to temporarily pause during the morning commute. The juvenile whale first entered the harbour about 8am on Wednesday. At approximately 9am, "ferries paused their services" briefly following advice of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), spokesperson Mel Hall said. Footage taken from a passenger inside one ferry showed the whale's tail out of the water as it swam near the vessel. "Transport for NSW Maritime is managing ferry and other boat traffic to allow safe passage of the whale through the harbour," the spokesperson for Transport for NSW said. The whale did not appear to be entangled or injured and instead may have "taken a detour" on its migration north. NPWS and Maritime NSW crews said they were escorting the humpback on its journey in a bid to protect both the animal and the public. Transport for NSW said whale scientist Vanessa Pirotta from Macquarie University was also on board the crew vessel to provide expertise. Given how busy the harbour can be, the crew's vessels marked an exclusion zone around the freely travelling whale to prevent other boats from getting too close. Prior to the crew's intervention, the whale had been heading towards Circular Quay. "Since that time it has gradually been making its way east, and we believe now around lunchtime it has exited the harbour or its lingering at the harbour entrance," Ms Hall said. "This is a reasonably common event now in Sydney Harbour. "When a whale does come into the harbour, the government organisations in the harbour then step up to escort the whale." Each year about 40,000 humpback whales journey north from Antarctica up to Queensland. As per Transport For NSW, boaters are advised to keep a minimum 100 metres from adult whales and 300m from a calf at all times and follow directions of control vessels. Boaters are not permitted to stop and wait in the path of the whale. NPWS thanked the public and the transport system for their cooperation.
