From singing Abba for whales to conducting a $1b budget
The new deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s foremost marine ecologists, says people need to be more systematic in protecting the environment.
Emma Johnston is telling me about singing Abba tunes to southern right whales and how their natural curiosity draws them closer and closer to the seal-like beasts making the strange, warbling sounds in the dark, freezing waters of Antarctica.
“It’s clear that the whale really thinks you’re quite interesting,” she says. “They seem to be attracted to sound, so a lot of us were singing Abba and other jaunty tunes.”
Julie HareEducation editorJulie Hare is the Education editor. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a writer, journalist and editor. Connect with Julie on Twitter. Email Julie at julie.hare@afr.com
