Shows
SunriseExperts call for shark nets to be removed during migration seasonFresh calls for Queensland to rethink shark nets after a humpback whale was freed off the Gold Coast. Sea World crews worked for hours to cut it loose. Over 40,000 whales are migrating north, with Queensland the only state keeping nets year-round. For more, Wildlife Scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta joins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2025-06-1303 min
What The If?Can You BREATHE Like A WHALE? With Vanessa Pirotta!We're off this week for the Memorial Day Holiday in the US so we present here one of our most popular episodes, a classic IF from August 13, 2021 with the incomparable marine biologist from Australia, Dr. Vanessa Pirotta. Take a deep breath and enjoy this deep dive!
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WHALES spend their entire lives inside a medium, water, in which they can’t actually breathe. So throughout the day, and the night, they have to swim to the surface to take a breath of that sweet, sweet ocean air… or they die! We humans, and other land lubber mammals like us, are spoi...2025-05-261h 02What The If?Can You BREATHE Like A WHALE? With Vanessa Pirotta!We're off this week for the Memorial Day Holiday in the US so we present here one of our most popular episodes, a classic IF from August 13, 2021 with the incomparable marine biologist from Australia, Dr. Vanessa Pirotta. Take a deep breath and enjoy this deep dive!
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WHALES spend their entire lives inside a medium, water, in which they can’t actually breathe. So throughout the day, and the night, they have to swim to the surface to take a breath of that sweet, sweet ocean air… or they die! We humans, and other land lubber mammals like us, are spoi...2025-05-261h 02
BooksmartDr Vanessa Pirotta on 'Humpback Highway'Acclaimed wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta has been mugged by whales, touched by a baby whale and covered in whale snot (just casually - as you do). Pirotta’s enthusiasm and deep knowledge of whales shine through in her book Humpback Highway as she explores a variety of timely topics – from why whale snot and poo are important for us and the ocean to the life cycle of whales, the challenges humans present to these marine giants, and new technologies - so we can see where they swim, listen to them talk and even spy on them underwater....2025-03-0531 min
Ocean IdeasOcean Ideas | EP 10 | What are Whales Telling Us?Take a deep dive into the world of whales with the latest episode of the Ocean Ideas podcast: What Are Whales Telling Us? 🎙️Listen as experts discuss everything from current threats and population changes to fascinating behaviours of these majestic creatures.Speakers:Dr. Vanessa Pirotta, Macquarie UniversityDr. Olaf Meynecke, Griffith UniversitySpecial thanks to Impressive Immersive for the stellar audio and video quality.Filmed at Bondi Pavilion.2025-02-1227 min
Finding NatureBest of 2024 - Part IIWelcome to the show and my podcast where I endeavour to have long form in depth conversations that matter - or at least I hope they matter - with thought and action leaders who are making positive change across business, health, society and politics.Today’s episode is the second and final part of the finding nature 2024 anthology. I hope you managed to enjoy the first part reprising some of your favourite guests or coming across some new ones, and the second part is more of the same.The intent of these two episodes is to...2024-12-282h 12
Let's Talk SciComm97. Interview with wildlife scientist and science communicator Dr Vanessa PirottaThis week we had the most wonderful conversation with wildlife scientist, woman in STEMM/STEAM, science communicator, author and vessel operator, Dr Vanessa Pirotta. You’re going to love hearing Vanessa’s infectious enthusiasm for all things science and science communication. Vanessa’s research uses innovative technologies for wildlife conservation. Vanessa works collaboratively across both marine and terrestrial environments merging cutting edge technology to access animals in unique ways. Most notable works include drones to collect whale snot and the use of computer algorithms and AI for the detection of illegal wildlife trafficking.Vanessa is a passi...2024-11-2535 min
Finding NatureDr Vanessa Pirotta is Forging New Paths: Humpbacks, Drones and Creating What Doesn't ExistDr Vanessa Pirotta is a whale scientist, an author, an educator, an entrepreneur and a social media sensation. I read Vanessa's book recently - Humpback Highway - and was captivated by the stories of her work and research in the presence of these majestic and remarkable creatures. I remember visiting beaches in Sydney during the humpack's migratory seasons and being amazed by catching glimpses of their existence out at sea. Over the last thirty years humpbacks have continued to recover their population numbers right around the world - a rare species conservation success story.Vanessa is one...2024-11-051h 39
The Science Show - Separate stories podcastFascination with whales – from childhood to university researcher and authorResearcher, science communicator and author, Vanessa Pirotta has released a book, Humpback Highway exploring the mysterious world of whales.2024-08-2414 min
The Algorithmic Futures PodcastSoaring with drones, swimming with whales, with Dr Vanessa PirottaThis month, we chat with Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist and science communicator with a passion for creatively making use of technology for her work in wildlife conservation. We learn all about how she uses drones to survey the health of whales in transit and what research like this is telling us about these magnificent creatures. We also get into a wide-ranging discussion about life in science as a woman in STEM and in academia, the importance of sharing our work with society, the role citizen science can play in our understanding of the world, and so much...2024-07-3145 min
Citizen Science Show#057 - Dr Vanessa Pirotta | Author & Science Communicator | Humpback WhalesVanessa Pirotta is a passionate science communicator who uses drones to collect whale snot and AI to detect illegal wildlife trafficking.She is a successful author on the topic of humpback whale biology and ecology in Australian waters.More Informationhttps://www.vanessapirotta.comhttps://www.wildsydneyharbour.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEN8pxOh0fU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-0524 min
The Conversation's Curious KidsDo whales sneeze?Do whales sneeze? That's what ten-year-old Guy from Sydney wanted to know. He joined our host Eloise to ask Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist at Macquarie University in Australia who is also an expert in whale snot! The Conversation's Curious Kids podcast is published in partnership with FunKids, the UK's children's radio station. It's hosted and produced by Eloise Stevens and Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full sound credits available here. If you have a question for an expert, email us at curiouskids@theconversation.com or record it and send your question to us di...2024-04-2111 min
Radio MarinaraHumpback Highway: Diving Into the Mysterious World of WhalesThis week the team speak to Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a self-declared ‘whale addict’ and author of 'Humpback Highway'. Vanessa talks about her initial attraction to whales at a young age, leading to an indepth study of them during her PHD. What started as a fascination for those mysterious animal she had only ever "seen or heard of in children's books" grows into a career where she has gotten to swim alongside them; and get involved with the nitty-gritty of collecting samples from their snot and exrement to better understand marine-life as a whole. The extraordinary fun - and not so f...2024-04-1432 min
Good Reading PodcastDr Vanessa Pirotta dives into the mysterious world of whales in 'Humpback Highway'Acclaimed wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta has been mugged by whales, touched by a baby whale and covered in whale snot. In Humpback Highway, Pirotta dives beneath the surface to reveal the mysterious world of humpback whales — from their life cycle and the challenges humans present, to why whale snot and poo are important for us and the ocean. Plus the cutting-edge new technologies that allow us to see where they swim, listen to them talk and spy on them underwater.
Whether you’re a whale lover or you’re simply curious about the underwater world, 'Humpback Highway' will inspire and give y...2024-04-0423 min
Good Reading PodcastDr Vanessa Pirotta dives into the mysterious world of whales in 'Humpback Highway'Acclaimed wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta has been mugged by whales, touched by a baby whale and covered in whale snot. In Humpback Highway, Pirotta dives beneath the surface to reveal the mysterious world of humpback whales — from their life cycle and the challenges humans present, to why whale snot and poo are important for us and the ocean. Plus the cutting-edge new technologies that allow us to see where they swim, listen to them talk and spy on them underwater. Whether you’re a whale lover or you’re simply curious about the underwater world, 'Humpback Highway' will inspire and gi...2024-04-0423 min
WOMADelaideOceans of Change - Presented in Partnership with The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre - WOMADelaide 2024SPEAKERS
Abby Barrows, Vanessa Pirotta, Bronwyn Gillanders.
HOST
Clare Peddie
Our oceans are in deep trouble, and facing threats and stressors on multiple fronts. From alarming rises in temperature to the tonnes of microplastics, the health and ongoing integrity of our marine environments are under severe threat. In addition noise pollution from seismic exploration and shipping disrupts the ability of marine animals to communicate. A powerhouse panel of marine biologists, who are using new technologies and citizen science to better understand these impacts, will discuss the different ways to advocate for the necessary change.
Presen...2024-03-251h 00
The WeWhale PodEpisode 10 - Dr Vanessa Pirotta, wildlife scientist and science communicatorOur guest for this episode of The WeWhale Pod is Dr Vanessa Pirotta, wildlife scientist and science communicator. Vanessa talks about how the film Free Willy inspired her (and a generation of marine scientists) to get involved in working with whales. She also chats about the work she does with a citizen science marine programme in Australia and her fascinating research work focusing on whale snot and using drones. The conversation also delves into southern right whales and Migaloo, the famous albino whale! Find out more about WeWhale at wewhale.co and...2023-08-1531 min