You know how they say repetition is the key to memory? Well in post after post Eric at The Other 95% has emphasized that the essential conservation goal in protecting the North Atlantic Right Whale is, in fact, LICE.
Well those lessons have not gone unlearned. Now right whale researchers are incorporating the lice message into their presentations. Evidence in the Gloucester Times:
As the Canadian [Dr. Moira Brown] native held up a giant vertebra and equally giant rib bone while spouting off dozens of right whale factoids, many of the children, unable to contain their amazement, bellowed "wow." At other times, such as when Brown disclosed no fewer than 1 million lice live on a single right whale, the grossed-out fifth-graders uttered a collective "eww."
As you well know, that "eww" was the low roar that will soon erupt into a growing din of lice conservation. And why not? Right whales are already renowned in the blogosphere for the unique, research-friendly poop.
Morse (Eg#1608) logging at the surface while her calf swims close by.
Notice the distinctive V-shaped blow from the calf. Photo Taken by Jessica Taylor.
Anectodal evidence shows the lice conservation movement is having a positive effect. Today the Right Whale Aerial Survey blog reports that the season is on track for record numbers of mother/calf sightings! This is one instance in which we can't wait for these children to get lice.
2 comments:
Awesome!
I love when the Ewwww factor hooks them in! I love to get the wow's out of the kids, but sometimes the "ewwws" stick longer and spread further, as kids talk to brothers and sisters, parents and friends. Gotta love it!
That's a good point.
Judging from shows like Double Dare and Fear Factor, grossness gets attention.
Ewww might be the most powerful conservation message there is.
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