Published:
A life-sized replica of a humpback whale arrives at Heriot-Watt University next week.
The giant attraction will be displayed inside Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre on Monday (Mar 25) and Tuesday (Mar 26).
Named ‘Hope’, the inflatable whale offers visitors the chance to step inside its large frame and to take a tour of the internal anatomy such as the ribcage, lungs and heart. They can also learn about some of the research and conservation work being undertaken to help protect these impressive leviathans.
Measuring 13 metres long and eight metres wide – similar to a real-life humpback whale - Hope forms part of a public engagement programme led by the international marine charity, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC).
Over both days, the exhibition will welcome local primary school children as well as staff, students and visitors. On hand to assist with any whale-related questions will be Dr Lauren McWhinnie from the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences at Heriot-Watt University who has worked with WDC’s team over several years.
She said: “It’s really exciting to have Hope on our Edinburgh campus. We’re now seeing humpback whales return to waters around the UK coastline after they were protected from commercial hunting in the 1980’s, so in many ways they are a sign of ‘hope’ that if we make the right conservation decisions, and give nature a fighting chance, some species can recover.”
Humpback whales are increasingly regular visitors to Scottish waters but face fresh dangers such as being entangled in fishing gear, colliding with ships and exposure to underwater noise from human activities.
Dr McWhinnie adds: “I’m delighted to work with WDC’s Shorewatch team who provide members of the public with the tools and training to collect sightings data of marine mammals , including humpback whales, that they spot from shore.
“This group has now grown into a nationwide network of communities that covers much of Scotland’s coastline and the data is helping researchers like myself to better understand how marine mammals are using Scottish waters as well as some of the threats they might face.”
Dr McWhinnie will be joined by academic colleagues and the WDC Shorewatch team on both days. They will share their knowledge with visitors and showcase their ongoing research relating to marine mammals through a temporary poster exhibition.
Katie Dyke Shorewatch Coordinator said: “We are really excited about traveling around Scotland this year with Hope.
“This year we are able to offer university visits to enable young adults to enjoy the experience of getting up close and personal to a life size inflatable whale, bringing what some might not have the opportunity to see in the wild into the classroom. The reactions we have been having from people seeing Hope has been incredible. Whales offer us hope. These climate giants can play an enormous role in providing a solution to the climate emergency.
“The ocean absorbs more carbon and releases more oxygen than all of Earth’s forests combined, and whales help it flourish. We need whales to maintain a healthy ocean and heathy planet and that’s why WDC thrives to protect them.”
Hope will be open to the public over both days between 1pm and 3pm.
Admission is free of charge and booking is not required.