Dr Vanessa Pirotta

Today off Sydney, Australia, via @Dronesharkapp (31 May 26)- we give you a beautiful mum and calf dwarf minke whale! Note the pointed mouth and short pectoral flippers (arms). Finally! #bondi #humpbackhighway #comms #fyp #pov

Straight from the humpback highway this morning. This time from Crescent Head. A beautiful capture by Mark Badgery (@marks_wild_life) Drone users- please be whaley nice and keep 100m high. #humpbackhighway #whale #whales #mum #wildlife

Whale-hello Sydney, again (28/5/26). For the second time this week we have had humpback whales detour off the humpback highway. A magical capture by the talented @jessmiocevich! #wildsydneyharbour #whale #humpbackhighway #manly

POV going to the toilet in Australia. Best not to hurt our fabulous wildlife! Left this little guy alone. #spider #POV #Australia #nature #fyp

Want to join me in #Antarctica? Antarctic Classroom Launched: First-of-its-kind Sustainability Expedition for Teens Are you in year 9-12? Aussie based expedition company @terranovaex has an Antarctic classroom happening end of this year. www.adventuretravelnews.com/antarctic-cl...

Humpback whale in Sydney Harbour yesterday (26/5/26). A touch of science communication from me with @sunriseon this am. Enjoy! #humpbackhighway #scicomm #wildlife #whale #nature

The humble porpoise. A biologists double take. A recent snap from the field prompted this scicomm. Learn something new everyday. #porpoise #fyp #pov #animals #wildlife

Timmy the humpback whale has been found dead. I’m a whale scientist, NOT a vet. I gave my opinion about this situation a few weeks back. I reflect on this once again. #timmy #whale #denmark #germany

Sir David Attenborough saw my photo! And I wrote an article about krill and krill oil tablets in the latest issue of the @australiangeographic My position- let’s leave krill in the ocean. #krill #krillingit #wildlife #pov #FYP

Love this. Another fabulous document of a HUMPBACK whale with its mouth open. This time from the Azores by @nataliewildlife Could this whale be trap feeding or just a mouth open, gaping like we have just published on. #humpbackwhale #azores #whalewatching #wildlife #fyp

Going whale watching this weekend? @Dronesharkapp making us all excited! Here’s a little science communication for this time of the year. Whale-come. #drone #sydney #beach #wildlife #fyp

Come fishing for mullet with us! Bodhi Patil and I recently accompanied the Gamay Rangers and local members of the La Perouse community for a demonstration of traditional cultural fishing in Gamay. #GamayRangers #fishing #fish #firstnations #mullet

You need to know that Australia makes money off whales and our marine environment. Whales are BOTH environmentally AND economically important to Australia. I look forward to seeing funds allocated to science and marine sectors 🐋 #budget #money #whale #tourism #pov

PSA, let’s talk about AI barnacle placement on this fake humpback whale. This is a simple reminder to keep an eye out for AI images. 📸Hawaiian Oceans #AI #artificialintelligence #fyp #art #timmy

A beautiful celebration of Sir David Attenborough right here in Bondi Beach, Australia. Congratulations to artist Stuart Sale. Nailed this. If you live in the UK and know Attenborough, please show him! #davidattenborough #happybirthday #art #bondibeach #sydney

Can you please do something for me? If you know #DavidAttenborough, can you please pass this on? So many people claim to know him, whale let’s make good of that and please pass on this very special message to him. A very raw message from me here to the world. #happybirthday

Wrap of the 2nd Annual Humpback Day! Over 6k people watched along! Thank you everyone! Thank you to the pod: 🐳Australian National Maritime Museum 🫍CSIRO 🐋The Gamay Rangers 🐬NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service #annualhumpbackday #pov #fyp @scicommexcellence.nationalacademies.org

Happy Annual Humpback Day world! Are you joining us today at 2pm AEST (Sydney, Australia)?! Whale be LIVE from the Australian National Maritime Museum online! You can still take part 🔗 www.sea.museum/en/learn/exc... #annualhumpbackday #humpbackwhale #POV #education

When reference to the humpback highway makes it onto primetime TV via @HYBPA in Australia. Gotta have a giggle and thank you for the timely shoutout right before annual humpback day tomorrow! #hybpa #australia #humpday #annualhumpbackday #tv www.sea.museum/en/learn/exc...

NEW WHALE RESEARCH! Gaping (mouth opening) humpback whales observed through citizen science. Above and under water. What’s going on here….   www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?...   #humpbackwhale #POV #whale #citizenscience

I finally found my way to THE OG Sesame Street. Two iconic shows, @sesamestreet and ABC Kids Play School, one childhood of learning. Let’s reignite generations who grew up with real childhood education via these shows. #POV #fyp #children #nostalgic #ideas

Whale-hello! It’s May! And it’s going to be a fabulous whale season here in Australia. To celebrate, Bodhi Patil and I are sharing the important work of the @gamayrangers right here in Sydney, Australia. Please don’t release those balloons 🎈! #ocean #australia #sydney #POV #education

I provide comment on Timmy the humpback whale in the Baltic Sea. I provide my opinion. cnn @washingtonpost @guardian @guardian_us @sbs_australia @euronews.tv @france24 @apnews @nytimes @the.australian @scientific_american @economictimes #whale #germany #rescue #pov

Whale back on the humpback highway! Over the other side! The whale that took a detour off the humpback highway is out. Whale done to alllll involved! Let’s see what else this Australian whale season whale bring…. #happy #rescue #wildlife #nature #documentary

Space and the ocean right here on earth, what do we know more about? #SPACE. A gentle reminder to life on earth that we still have lots to learn about this planet. I’m totally pro advancements in science derived from space investment, but can we also please give our big blue a little love? #NASA

An important few seconds of your day to learn about a global problem impacting wildlife. Watch the full six minutes here: youtu.be/InqPgnF5qyU? si=h1pJKtFm8cYmXbDf #animal #animals #reptile #lizard #crime

#Beakedwhale, #Sydney Harbour #Australia. Unfortunately, this whale passed away naturally. Thank you to the entire ORRCA team, local Sydney legends, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (and their large whale disentanglement team!), NSW Maritime, Taronga Zoo and the Australian Musuem.

If you see a beached/stranded whale, please report it and best not to touch it… for your own health… If you see a stranded/beached whale, call NSW National Parks and Wildlife service @nswnationalparks 1300 072 757 Or report to @orrcaaustralia call 02 9415 3333 #bondi #ocean #australia #surf #animal

False killer whales inside Sydney Harbour, Australia, 21/3/26. I’m excited Sydney! Ping @wildsydneyharbour. 📸 Shout out to Tim Griffiths from Cockatoo Island Kayaks who snapped this vision yesterday on a day off! Ping #wildsydneyharbour #falsekillerwhales #kayak #sydney #qstation

Wombats make square poops 💩 I finally visited @bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, Australia, where I met Pebbles the wombat. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary plays an important role in the rescue and rehabilitation of Tasmanian wildlife. #wombat #animals #wildlife #tasmania #australia

Cleaning up our blue backyard on @cleanupaustralia Day. Today I took the time to put the gloves on and look for rubbish in Gamay. Helping clean up the local environment for the dolphins and fur seals we are protecting! #cleanupaustraliaday #beach #cleanup #weekend #active

Who is more influential: scientist, athlete or actor? Find out… via @sailgp.bsky.social #thinkaboutit #sailgp #influencer #scientist

Laurie the dolphin trainer aka @mattokine, from one of our favourite children’s television shows here in Australia- H20: Just Add Water. I got all the behind the scenes goss about what it was like to be head trainer and @phoebejtonkin’s onscreen boss. #h20 #dolphin #tv #childhood #goldcoast

I spoke to @abcnews_au to help people be aware of this entangled whale. This whale was last seen in Victorian waters on Friday 13/2/26. If you see it, call: @deeca_vic emergency hotline: 1300 136 017 @orrcaaustralia : (02) 9415 3333 #entanglement #humpbackwhale #victoria

Entangled humpback whale update 15/2/26 An entangled humpback whale was observed yesterday in Victorian waters. Thank you Graeme Burgan & Wildlife Coast Cruises You can report to two locations: Vic Gov: 1300 136 017. ORRCA: (02) 9415 3333 #entanglement #humpbackwhale #whale #victoria #australia

This. Dolphins smack bang in the middle of Sydney Harbour, yet we know so little about them here! (13/2/26) We’re on a mission to find out more about them in our own blue backyard. 📸Transport for NSW Maritme Happy Friday! #dolphin #dolphins #sydney #australia #sydneyharbour

Shark inside swimming net- it was probably more nervous about the person filming it! #shark #sharknet #manly #sydney #comms

G’day Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds 👋 Come for a kayak! As the new owners of the @bondsflyingroos, we thought you might like to see @sailgp’s blue racetrack and learn more about the beautiful Sydney Harbour your team will race on. @sailgp.bsky.social #SailGP #racing #Australia #Sydney #sailing

POV: Australian humpback hangout right now. Get ready, annual humpback day is coming.... #whale #antarctica #annualhumpbackday #ocean @Qantas

The search continues for an entangled humpback whale in New South Wales waters, Australia. Here are some of my thoughts. If you see a whale close to shore, contact ORRCA 02 9415 3333 or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 #scicomm #whale #entanglement

Divers, do you use flash photography? Does it impact marine life? Find out from latest research by Harasti and Gladstone. Scicomm: White’s Seahorse are found only in Australian waters, no where else! endemic to Australia. #scicomm #scuba #underwater #photography #seahorse

What next for sharks here in Sydney? Respectfully, here are my thoughts and reflections. This serves as an extension to my comments earlier this week. #shark #sharks #sydney #bullshark #australia

Let’s keep learning together. Positive ocean news: - Meet the Risso’s dolphin, spotted yesterday off Port Macquarie by @jodie_lowe88 - Where is that white whale? - keep a lookout for summer Bryde’s whales in Aussie waters. #scicom #whale #marinebiologist #australia #dolphin

Let’s work with shark scientists to develop education around shark safety to be considered in schools nationwide. Echoing the call from @nsw_sharksmart to be #sharksmart. And no, I personally do not support a shark cull. Let’s divert those resources to scientific research. #shark

Whale-hello new followers! A sneak peek of what’s coming your way in 2026. Lots of science, wildlife, outdoor action, travel, adventure, education and science communication. Free diving shots: @jessmiocevich - such a legend! #2026 #adventure #travel #thisiswhatascientistlookslike

2016: world first whale snot drones, PhD, Tonga, children’s education and so much more. 10 years later, I’m still on my quest to create wildlife content through my science. The science continues! #2016 #whalesnot #drone #travel #whale

2026 #whitewhale sighting- Mid north coast of Australia. 10/1/2026 I’ve just received the news that a white whale has been spotted and reported to @orrcaaustralia by members of the public Bronx Dillinger, Tex Ayre and Will Brown, at Crescent Head, Australia. #siale #migaloo #australia

Meet Old Tom the famous Australian killer whale. Old Tom and his pod used to work with First Nation and European whalers years ago. #oldtomkillerwhale #oldtom #killerwhale #orca #scicomm

Jaguar vs river dolphin. Who would win? This captures a very special moment. The moment I saw river dolphins for the first time. I reckon the river dolphins would win based on speed, strength and ability to navigate murky waters. #scicomm #bolivia #jaguar #travel #dolphin

Swimming with sharks, a beautiful informative article with marine scientists (@marine_images) , shark interaction survivors @biteclubint, @dronesharkapp and First Nation voices. Read it LIVE now by @sbs_australia Australia: www.sbs.com.au/news/creativ... #shark #sharkweek #swimming #summer #surf

Sound up- Your morning purr from a cheetah #scicomm: cheetahs are big but not big cats. What? Yep, because they can't roar (mind blown!) but they can purr... Enjoy science and biology lovers. #cheetah #cat #animal #travel

Stingray stop off. I LOVE seeing the bull rays aka smooth stingrays. #scicomm: These rays are the largest stingray in Australia- can be over a 1 metre wide! Yes, they have a barb on their tail. Best to never touch them. Enjoy! #travel #stemtok #animal #australia

This was the moment of 2025 for me. #underwater #2025recap #australia #pov #whale

POV: #Sydney #beach #snake

Ending the year with a double breach! @60minutes.bsky.social tonight whale show a very special detour off the humpback highway. Tune in tonight Australia @ 830pm east coast time. #humpbackhighway #australia #whale #scicomm #travelgram

I’m beyond proud to celebrate the release of Marine Mili’s NEW book- Penny’s Plastic Problem. Next gen writing for our next gen, exploring challenges we humans present for our blue backyard. Congratulations Mili! Thank you Sydney By Kayak! #book #author #celebrate #penguin #wildsydneyharbour

Siale the white female humpback whale. Born in Tonga last year, seen off Sydney this year. A reminder we know so little about these amazing creatures. These photos are shared during a time where we need a little light. #siale #photography #whitewhale #humpbackhighway #insta

Corals making more corals. Today I saw fertilised coral eggs and tonight there will be more spawning (coral reproduction). Amazing work by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Here on a very exciting and innovative journey…. #coralreef #coral #scicomm #innovation #tech

We have Bryde’s whale action in Australia! 9/12/25 Fabulous sightings from yesterday. The Australian Bryde’s Whale Catalogue is in full swing and so is citizen science effort to learn more about this species in Australian waters! #scicomm #brydeswhale #australia #abwc

PSA kids- beluga whales, narwhals and walrus are found in the Arctic, NOT Antarctica. Next gen scientists, having kids and being a scientist is a juggle but in my opinion, it opens your eyes to how others see the world in incredible ways. #scicomm #education #school #teachers #kids

Reflecting on the past, thinking about the future. Many Aussie kids will remember the iconic TV shows Ocean Girl and Dot and the Whale. This is why I’m passionate about producing Australian based content for our youngest in society. #childhood #socialmedia #socialmediaban #throwback #womeninstem

A HUGE pod of bottlenose #dolphins and butterflies off #Bondi Beach, #Australia 27/Nov/25. A brilliant capture by @Dronesharkapp These sightings directly contribute to our growing knowledge of bottlenose dolphins off Sydney Australia via the research project #WildSydneyHarbour.

I did it! I delivered my first TEDx Global Search Idea talk! I presented on my teams land based research using AI for the detection of illegal wildlife trafficking. THANK YOU to the other nine speakers who are now part of my support family. Thank you @tedx_official, @ted, @tedxsydney

Join me on @abcnews_au after 820 LIVE for a Siale the white humpback whale update. Catching my with fellow woman in STEAM Jemima from Play School @abckids #siale #whale #whitewhale #scicomm #humpbackhighway #happywhale

White whale, NSW South coast, Australia via Kate Rogers 5 Nov 2025 @k8osm8os You can report your white whale sightings to Migaloo.com.au website. #migaloo #whitewhale #whale #whales

Let’s go #PMPrizes 2025! I’m 💯 here to celebrate our greatest in science! Let’s go! @albomp.bsky.social #canberra #albo #science #steam #superstarsofSTEM #womeninscience #celebrate #australia #tiktok

My smallest calf if turning three! Im so proud of his ability to name different whale species. Being a mum in science is a HUGE juggle. I’ve learnt so much already, so much more to learn. Are you doing the juggle scientist parents?! #mumlife #muminscience #weekend #children #ocean

@sxsw.com Sydney 2025 in less than a min! #sxsw #sxswsydney #tech

POV with a revised estimate of the east coast Australian humpback whale population. New estimates by @DrWallyFranklin and Dr Lyndon Brooks - at least 50,000 individuals. #humpbackhighway #whales #australia #science #POV

The Tongan Whale Tourism Project is well underway in the Kingdom of Tonga. This is a community driven project working directly with the Vava’u Environmental Protection Association (VEPA) and the Kingdom of Tonga Government. #whale #tonga #research #tourism

A HUGE thank you and good luck to all HSC students! You got this… and two whale facts. Please share this with a student who needs a kind reminder that it will be ok. Back to the science and being a mumma. #goodluck #thankyou #narwhal #bellybutton #womeninscience #hsc #school

Interim post regarding my National Press Club of Australia this week. Currently juggling motherhood and science. I will make a wrap up thank you post when I come back up for air. Watch it now: m.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsL...

Tomorrow npc.org.au/events/dr-va...