Wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta names the world’s best destinations

Marine mammal scientist Vanessa Pirotta delves beneath the surface of the planet’s oceans and waterways in pursuit of rare species and research.

“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