Dwarf minke whales were only discovered in August 1981, so there’s still stacks to learn about them. We do know that each year they mysteriously appear on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, stay about a month, and then totally disappear again. We also know that they are incredibly curious, playful and actively seek out human contact.

As a marine biologist studying the dwarf minke, Suzanne Hillcoat’s spent hundreds of hours in the water with these little giants to research their behaviour, and she’s had countless super-close encounters with them. In this episode of Wild Lives by Faunographic, Suzanne reflects on some of her most memorable interactions with these sweet cetaceans.

(Spoiler alert: If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have a whale flirt with you, you won’t want to miss this!)

Dwarf minke whales were only discovered in August 1981, so there&rsquo;s still stacks to learn about them. We do know that each year they mysteriously appear on Australia&rsquo;s Great Barrier Reef, stay about a month, and then totally disappear again. We also know that they are incredibly curious, playful and actively seek out human contact.
As a marine biologist studying the dwarf minke, Suzanne Hillcoat&rsquo;s spent hundreds of hours in the water with these little giants to research their behaviour, and she&rsquo;s had countless super-close encounters with them. In this episode of Wild Lives by Faunographic, Suzanne reflects on some of her most memorable interactions with these sweet cetaceans.
(Spoiler alert: If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what it&rsquo;s like to have a whale flirt with you, you won&rsquo;t want to miss this!)

Get up close and personal with the animals you love! Season 2 of your favourite wildlife podcast shares the real-life stories of life in the field with naturalists, rangers, photographers, adventurers and a whole lot more. Powered by Faunographic and hosted by Australian journalist and photographer, Rachelle Mackintosh, each episode reveals deeply personal frontline stories as we get close to tigers, great white sharks, wolves, grizzly bears – and everything with fur, feathers and fins in between. From jaw-dropping close encounters to poignant insights into what makes these creatures tick, WILD LIVES by Faunographic will give you all the feels. Subscribe today!

Get up close and personal with the animals you love! Season 2 of your favourite wildlife podcast shares the real-life stories of life in the field with naturalists, rangers, photographers, adventurers and a whole lot more. Powered by Faunographic and hosted by Australian journalist and photographer, Rachelle Mackintosh, each episode reveals deeply personal frontline stories as we get close to tigers, great white sharks, wolves, grizzly bears &ndash; and everything with fur, feathers and fins in between. From jaw-dropping close encounters to poignant insights into what makes these creatures tick, WILD LIVES by Faunographic will give you all the feels. Subscribe today!

WILD LIVES

WILD LIVES by faunographic

Marine biologist Suzanne Hillcoat shares her intriguing tales of the dwarf minke whale on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

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