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<<audio mig stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio "intro" loop play>><img src="https://i.imgur.com/XY5tpvv.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
Welcome to our interactive book that tells you tales of different whales, who through their daily lives and adventures are saving the world’s ocean and the whole planet. Most importantly, whales are helping us in our climate emergency to contain the greenhouse gases and help on carbon absorption into the oceans.
[[Whales and Climate Change]]
[[Start Adventure]]
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/roBLEoq.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
You might wonder how whales are helping in combating the climate emergency and why particularly are they more important than any other living creatures on the planet.
But before we jump into that let’s play a quick quiz to find out how much you know about climate change and its effects on the oceans of the world.
[[Quiz->Question 1]]
[[Whales help Climate]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/SFsKrvz.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
Meet our Ocean Super Heroes!
[[Migaloo]]
A rare white Humpback Whale, who loves to take care of the ocean!
[[Noc]]
A smart Beluga, who is an expert in mimicking Human speech
[[Mocha D]]
One of the Most famous sperm whales of all times, he has Whalers running around in circles.
Did you know our Superheroes are based on real life Whales that have captured our imagination.
[[Real Tales of Real Whales]]<<audio intro stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio mig loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/yQL6Qcy.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Hello friends, my name is Migaloo, I am a male humpback whale. One of the larger whales, I am a popular guy amongst the humans due to my amazing jumping skill and long fins! Because of my rare white skin, I was named Migaloo which means ‘the great white one’ in Maori language.
I am quite popular in and around Australia and New Zealand, that’s where I mostly cross paths with the humans.
I must say I am very photogenic.
[[A bit about me]]
<<audio intro stop>><<audio mig stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio noc loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/Ad8VHVT.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Hello my name is Noc, I am Beluga whale living in the Arctic Ocean and its nearby seas in the Northern Hemisphere.
My earliest memory goes back to being in a free floating chamber - calm, serene and quiet.
From the moment I exit this safety pouch, the low hum of the sea will always be the bass to my orchestra. The chances of my survival were good. Birth mortality in Beluga whales is rather low, it’s surviving post birth that is difficult.
Natural predators (polar bears and killer whales), contamination of rivers, climate change and infectious diseases are just some things to look out for in a long list.
[[Take Birth]]
[[Die at Birth]]
<<audio intro stop>><<audio mig stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio mok loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/VzQaNiF.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
The very intresting story of Mocha Dick fondly known as MO.
Coming up in the near future.
[[Start another adventure->Start Adventure]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/HMXovVW.png" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
Knowing all these dangers to the earth’s environment, here is how whales are helping us with the Climate Change:
[[Start Adventure]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/zmYKhB6.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Let me begin by telling you about my adventures:
Now I have been mostly spotted around Australia, I remember the first time I went to Queensland back in 1991. I was 3 years old swimming and having a wonderful day, playing with my friends and catching a quick snack, when we spotted a small ship.
My parents have always warned me about these humans, they can be a tricky bunch, I must say.
What should I do?
[[Go near the ship]]
[[Dive deeper and run away]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/2C54Rtu.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Ooh looks very interesting. I have never seen a human up close before. I wonder what’s the hoo-haa about humans, they are so tiny and puny! My mother and father warned me about them a lot, but they don’t seem very dangerous!
Going closer to the ship I saw a human pointing something at me, I wonder what he is doing?
Flash!! A bright light!!
[[Got spooked out and swam away]]
[[Got spooked out and toppled the ship]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/n1491oh.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
My friends are all older and wiser than me. I have a lot to learn from them. Getting distracted with the human ship was not a good idea. I shall dive down deeper with them; they are calling me with their songs. They said that today was a very important lesson about my purpose in the ocean.
But as I go deeper, my stomach rumbles… What should I do?
[[Go feed]]
[[Go find friends and get to know my purpose]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/ulBb3MF.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
OMG!! What was that! I can’t see, it was a very bright light. Maybe this is what Mom Dad warned me about, about humans having devices that kill us whales.
Better stay away from them.
[[Dive deeper and run away]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/s2NHosI.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
OMG!! What was that! I can’t see!!
Splish!! Splash!! BANG!!
That’s better, I don’t like these humans. I will break their ship!
BANG, BANG! CRACK! The ship breaks!
Much better! These humans and their evil equipment are no longer a threat! Now I can go back and continue to play with my friends.
[[Dive deeper and run away]] <video src="https://i.imgur.com/mFaY0pR.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
I can always catch up with my friends, let me just quickly have some Krills. Did you know, we whales, especially baleen (ones with no teeth), I know odd for such a huge animal not to have teeth, feed on krill that are found everywhere in the ocean. but i must tell you the ones near the ocean floor are very yummy!
GLUP! GULP!! (image of the whale with its mouth open, swallowing the krill.)
Now that I am feeling full, let me find my friends. Ooh, what is it that I see over there? Sperm whale, here? I heard they are scary!
[[Go near the Sperm whales]]
[[Continue to search for my friends]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/mxGwfGw.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
[[Follow Mocha's journey->Mocha D]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/VzQaNiF.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
As I went closer, I saw that it was a huge Sperm whale. He was dying, and a few other whales were circling around him.
As I approach closer, a young sperm whale comes to greet me. He says “Hello, I am Moby. We have gathered here to mourn the passing of our Grandfather. Would you like to join in on the prayer ritual?
[[Change to Mocha->Mocha D]]
Continue as Migaloo
[[Join in the ritual]]
[[Decline and move away]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/FUMr3As.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
After all the excitement and a full belly I was finally on my way to find my friends. It is a beautiful day, let me quickly go to the surface for a breath, and see the sunset.
WHOO HOO!!
As I jumped out of the weather, at a distance I spotted my friends having a jumping competition. Using my whale songs, I communicated for them to wait. I was definitely not going to miss all the fun!
[[Go find friends and get to know my purpose]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/goa2Jox.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
I was curious, as I had never seen the passing away ritual of Sperm whales. “ I am honoured to be a part of the ritual Mocha. Please let me know what I am supposed to do?” I said.
He gently nudged me towards the circling herd, and said “ Circle along with me, around Grandfather, thanking him for his life long service to the ocean. He and all the great whales before him have kept the ocean ecosystem balanced. Even in his death he is capturing and transporting close to 190,000 tons of carbon from the earth’s atmosphere!”
“WOW, I did not know about this carbon capture. Is it the same when Humpbacks die?” I asked.
Mocha replied “Yes, it is true for most of the large whales. We are the eco- system engineers of the oceans.”
With new found respect, I accompanied Mocha till the end of the ritual.
Humbled and proud at the same time, I continued my search for my friends.
[[Go find friends and get to know my purpose]] <video src="https://i.imgur.com/zHEuuhD.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Understanding that the whales need their privacy, I politely declined Mocha. I said “ Thank you Mocha for your kind offer, but I must continue my search for my friends. I pay my respect to your grandfather, he is truly magnificent even in death.”
Saying my goodbyes, I went ahead on my search for my friends.
[[Continue to search for my friends]] <img src="https://i.imgur.com/MYD0nWX.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
[[Migaloo]]
Humpback whale
Considered to be the most famous humpback whale in the world, Migaloo may be the only pure white adult humpback whale alive today. This remarkable whale was first spotted in 1991 off Byron Bay, Queensland by a group of volunteers conducting a whale count. In 1993 Pacific Whale Foundation researchers encountered this amazing white whale in Hervey Bay, Queensland. During this encounter we were able confirm the whale was all white and in 1998, we recorded the whale singing, a trait distinct to male humpback whales. Genetic testing in 2004 by Southern Cross University scientists further confirmed that Migaloo is a male; this confirmed what we knew because Migaloo has been recorded singing and only male humpback whales produce song.
[[Noc]]
Beluga Whale
A beluga whale who made human-like vocalizations. He was captured by Inuit hunters for the United States Navy in 1977 and lived in captivity until his death in 1999. In 1984, researchers from the National Marine Mammal Foundation discovered his unusual ability to mimic the rhythm and tone of human speech. Belugas' human-like voices had been described in the past, but NOC's voice was the first to have been recorded.
[[Mocha D]] (Mo)
Sperm Whale
Mocha Dick (died 1838) was a male sperm whale that lived in the Pacific Ocean in the early 19th century, usually encountered in the waters near Mocha Island, off the central coast of Chile. American explorer and author Jeremiah N. Reynolds published his account, "Mocha Dick: Or The White Whale of the Pacific: A Leaf from a Manuscript Journal" in 1839 in The Knickerbocker. Mocha Dick was an albino and partially inspired Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick.
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/gqBIeIQ.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Aaaaaaaaah! So this is what the real world looks like.
It’s Gorgeous! These ocean floors are covered with so many hidden treasures, beings : big and small, rough and smooth. Some of the beings light up in the dark while some of the wheeeeee long ones can even charge you up.
I was a healthy 50kg, 5.5 feet long calf, born gray in colour, with a protruding forehead. Did you know, my forehead is considered as the ancestral symbol of intelligence and wisdom.
[[6 months old]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/8y0Mmir.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Though the chances of dying are low in Belugas, (1 in 3), it is not uncommon that the birthing can cause the death of both the Mother and the calf.
[[Restart->Start Adventure]] <video src="https://i.imgur.com/puvNEZz.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
By now I am ready to hunt for my own food but also need my mother’s nursing from time to time.
Did you know that a whale’s diet helps maintain the level of carbon in the environment?
Our eating habits, excretion (poo) and death all capture a large amount of carbon in our bodies, upto 33 tons of CO2 on average. Taking that carbon out of the atmosphere for centuries, we help to keep the air clean and free of the harmful carbon gases.
Now let’s get to the important part of feeding myself!
[[Go to whale mamma for nursing]]
[[Try hunting for the first time]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/rNRCgo6.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
I love my Mamma very much; she is white and very serene. She also sings the sweetest lullaby, which is unique only to me and also our special bond with each other.
I go close to her and nudge her abdomen to find the mammary glands. After a couple of failed attempts I finally latch on and get my share of milk.
With a full belly I am now ready to explore the ocean!!
[[Bruuuuuug!]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/Kqn1mrq.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Since I am still a calf, my Mamma and other aunts guide me to my first hunt.
We swim through the ocean, gliding through the waves catching small fishes!
They are a lot of fun to hunt and together all the young calves have a bountiful share of fishes and shrimps.
With a full belly I am now ready to explore the ocean!!
[[Bruuuuuug!]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/uYx7u0J.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Sorrrrrryyyyyyy, I hope that didn’t stink too much!
But did you know that whale poop is a climate savior? How, you ask?
When whales poo, the nutrients (iron and nitrogen) released encourage phytoplankton growth which attracts fish and other creatures, which is called “whale pump.”
Phytoplankton are very important!! They contribute at least 50% of the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere and capture an estimated 37 billion tons of all carbon dioxide produced, the same amount of carbon dioxide captured by 1.7 trillion trees!
[[Distant whale sound]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/VRF7OMp.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Oh Dear Ocean! Did you hear that?
Look at me standing here and chit chatting while it’s time for my vocal classes. There are 3 new songs that I have to learn!
[[Whale song 1]]
[[Whale song 2]]
[[Whale song 3]]
<<audio intro stop>><<audio mig stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio s1 loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/fSv8QZk.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do!
Sa-ni-dha-pa-ma-ga-re-sa!
While I was busy with my music school practice I was interrupted by some very strange songs.
What is that sound… I don’t think I've ever heard something like that.
What a melodious tune and rhythm.
Curiously these sounds are very different from the songs I am used to. I feel like it’s calling me
[[Go towards the Unknown Sound]]
[[Go deeper into the Ocean]]
<<audio intro stop>><<audio mig stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s3 stop>><<audio s2 loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/fSv8QZk.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do!
Sa-ni-dha-pa-ma-ga-re-sa!
While I was busy with my music school practice I was interrupted by some very strange songs.
What is that sound… I don’t think I've ever heard something like that.
What a melodious tune and rhythm.
Curiously these sounds are very different from the songs I am used to. I feel like it’s calling me
[[Go towards the Unknown Sound]]
[[Go deeper into the Ocean]]
<<audio intro stop>><<audio mig stop>><<audio noc stop>><<audio mok stop>><<audio s2 stop>><<audio s1 stop>><<audio s3 loop play>><video src="https://i.imgur.com/fSv8QZk.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do!
Sa-ni-dha-pa-ma-ga-re-sa!
While I was busy with my music school practice I was interrupted by some very strange songs.
What is that sound… I don’t think I've ever heard something like that.
What a melodious tune and rhythm.
Curiously these sounds are very different from the songs I am used to. I feel like it’s calling me
[[Go towards the Unknown Sound]]
[[Go deeper into the Ocean]]
<video src="https://i.imgur.com/M53w0UO.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
[[Follow Mocha's journey->Mocha D]]<video src="https://i.imgur.com/Thi5P6A.mp4" playsinline autoplay loop muted width = 480px height= 480px></video>
[[Follow Mocha's journey->Mocha D]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZYcUhTx.png" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
Why is the ocean important to us?
- [[It makes the sky blue->Question 2 Wrong]]
- [[It keeps the Earth from tilting off its axis->Question 2 Wrong]]
- [[It regulates climate & stores most of the CO2 we produce->Question 2 Correct]]
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/AFvmmsj.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
That's not quite right.
The correct answer is: It regulates climate & stores most of the CO2 we produce
Now lets go to the next Question:
Which of the following do we rely on the ocean for?
- [[Lumber for building ships->Question 3 Wrong]]
- [[Energy, food, recreation, & transportation->Question 3 Correct]]
- [[Habitat for citrus & other fruit trees->Question 3 Wrong]]
- [[Coffee & chocolate->Question 3 Wrong]]
<img src="https://i.imgur.com/AFvmmsj.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
That's absolutely correct! .
The ocean regulates climate & stores most of the CO2 we produce.
Now lets go to the next Question:
Which of the following do we rely on the ocean for?
- [[Lumber for building ships->Question 3 Wrong]]
- [[Energy, food, recreation, & transportation->Question 3 Correct]]
- [[Habitat for citrus & other fruit trees->Question 3 Wrong]]
- [[Coffee & chocolate->Question 3 Wrong]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zpvh3EX.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
Better luck next time. The right answer is Energy, food, recreation, & transportation.
Let's go and find out
[[Whales help Climate]]<img src="https://i.imgur.com/zpvh3EX.jpg" alt="AI generated seascape" style="width:480px;height:480px;">
You've done a great job.
Let's go and find out
[[Whales help Climate]]<<cacheaudio "intro" "audio/Intro.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "mig" "audio/Migaloo.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "noc" "audio/Noc.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "mok" "audio/Mocha.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "s1" "audio/Song1.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "s2" "audio/Song2.mp3">>
<<cacheaudio "s3" "audio/Song3.mp3">>