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Friday, 12 August 2011

A BBC wildlife documentary to air this weekend is to feature the work of UWA whale researcher Asha de Vos.

Asha is a PhD student with UWA's Oceans Institute and the School of Environmental Systems Engineering.

Asha's work - along with that of several other whale researchers around the world - will feature in the three-part documentary Giant Lives .

Asha's research involves trying to find out why the blue whales are found around Sri Lanka and why they are there all year round.

The blue whale is the largest animal known to have lived on earth; they can grow to some 30 metres and more than 150 tonnes; and at one stage were nearly hunted to extinction.

"I really value the opportunity to make science more accessible - something I think the BBC does very well," says Asha.

"So it's an honour to have my work showcased alongside some of the top scientists in the field in a way that builds a great story and gets people interested.  It really was a great experience for me."

Episode one of Giant Lives will feature stunning vision of the giants of the sea and will be broadcast in the United Kingdom on 14 August on BBC One.

You can see parts of the program on the BBC website including a segment on blue whales feeding that features Asha.

Asha's work also featured in a separate television program broadcast earlier this year in Australia on the Seven network.  You can also follow her work on her blog .

Media references

Asha de Vos (+61 4) 50 140 192
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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