13 March 2006
Whale of a time with stomachcontents
BAYERBoost scholarship winner studies diet of 25pygmy sperm whales
Being up to your elbows in the smelly,putrid contents of a whale s stomach is not a pleasant wayto spend the summer, but it couldn t have been better forBAYERBoost scholarship winner Emma Beatson (21).
Fundingfrom the scholarship allowed the Auckland University ofTechnology honours student to conduct research into the dietof 25 pygmy sperm whales stranded on New Zealand beachesbetween 1991 and 2003.
By studying the contents of thewhales stomachs, she hoped to gain a better understandingof the diet and potential human threats to these poorlyknown marine mammals. This is the first research of its kindto be undertaken in New Zealand.
"It s a very messybusiness -- basically you re sifting through a mass ofextremely putrid smelling slush," says Emma.
"However, itwas definitely worth it in the end. The pygmy sperm whale isthe most frequently stranded whale species in New Zealand,and locally nothing was known of its biology, diet orbehaviour, so any insight into the animal is a bonus."
Emma says the most significant finding is that the whalesfeed predominantly on squid. An unusual find amongst thestomach contents was a rare kind of octopus (Octopuskaharoa), a species recognised by the Department ofConservation as endangered.
Emma has presented herfindings at an international conference in Hobart,Australia, and hopes to have her research publishedsoon.
In the meantime, she is lining up her next grizzlyproject -- studying the stomach contents of pilot whalesstranded near Nelson last December. From here she hopes tosecure funding to start a PhD study looking into diet,conservation and rehabilitation of the smaller toothedwhales of New Zealand.
The BAYERBoost EnvironmentalScholarship Scheme was established in 2005. It allows seniorsecondary school and university students to gain experienceworking in environmental research or restoration. The schemeis funded by Bayer New Zealand Ltd and administered by theRoyal Society of NewZealand.
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About EmmaBeatson
Emma graduated from Papatoetoe High School at thetop of her year and received a full fee scholarship toundertake a Bachelor of Applied Science degree at AucklandUniversity of Technology (AUT). Whilst studying towards herbachelors degree she was fortunate to work part-time forAuckland s Dolphin and Whale Safari, onboard marine mammaltourism and research vessel DOLPHIN EXPLORER -- an experiencethat sparked her passion for marine mammal conservation.
In her third year of BAppSc studies she was invited to doan honours degree. Emma accepted this offer, although firsttook a six month break to complete a diploma in marinestudies at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic where she gainedvaluable practical experience, as well as commercialqualifications, such as her inshore Launchmasters and PADIopen water instructor certification. She then returned toAUT to continue studying towards her honours degree, whichshe will complete in June of this year, whilst working forthe university as a part-time marine fieldtechnician.
About Bayer
Bayer is an international,research-based group with major businesses in health care,crop science and high-tech materials. Employing some 93,000people worldwide, and almost 900 in Australia/New Zealand,the Bayer Group has a portfolio of over 10,000 products andoperations in nearly all countries of the globe. Worldwideoperations are managed from Group headquarters inLeverkusen, Germany.
In New Zealand, Bayer aims to make apositive contribution to the community, not only byproviding innovative solutions, but also through oureducational partnerships. For example, Bayer supportsongoing clinical research and educational initiatives in thetreatment of haemophilia. On a broader scale, we believesocial commitment also extends to the environment. Wesupport initiatives to preserve and protect New Zealand snative flora and fauna, such as the Whangarei Native BirdRecovery Centre, and the BAYERBoost EnvironmentalScholarship Scheme.
Bayer has had a presence in Australiaand New Zealand for more than 75 years. For more informationon Bayer visit www.bayer.co.nz or contact:
About theRoyal Society of New Zealand
The Royal Society of NewZealand is an independent, non-government organisationinstituted under an Act of Parliament with the objective ofadvancing and promoting science and technology. We have amembership of over 1500 individual scientists andtechnologists as well as about 50 constituent organisations,are the Academy of Sciences for New Zealand, and promotescience and technology through:
- communication ofscientific and technological issues to the public; -celebration of science and technology; - educationprogrammes for primary and secondary school students andteachers; - provision of advice to government to promoteevidence-based policy; and - administration of governmentresearch funds (for research of excellence in
New Zealandas well as international collaborations). We manage theNational Waterways Project which supports teachers ininvolving their students in monitoring the quality of theirlocal waterway and taking action to restore it. Many of ourNZ Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellows areengaged in environmental work during the term of theirFellowship, and we encourage students to use theirenvironment as the context for their work for CREST Awardsor science and technologyfairs.
ENDS
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