Hanna Michel

Hanna is a biologist from Germany with focus on marine mammals. During her university days she was involved in research projects in Italy, Australia and also Iceland. This is where she has spent most of her time since receiving her Master’s degree. Here she has been working as a naturalist for whale watching companies in different parts of the country. Since starting to work as a guide and lecturer on polar expedition cruises in 2017, she has been migrating between Iceland and Antarctica sharing her passion for cetaceans and seals.

Everything you wanted to know about Whale Watching – Part One

This month, we decided to focus on whale watching and have prepared three posts to tell you all about it: What are good places to go whale or dolphin watching? What are things to keep in mind? And what should you look for in a good whale watching operator? Keep reading to find out more about

Everything you wanted to know about Whale Watching – Part One Read More »

Whale sanctuaries where orcas and belugas can retire from captivity

Sanctuaries exist for many animal species. Generally speaking, an animal sanctuary is a place where animals are being “retired” after living in zoos or circuses. It is a place where they can live protected for the rest of their lives. For some species, this concept is nothing new. For cetaceans, however, this is fairly new

Whale sanctuaries where orcas and belugas can retire from captivity Read More »

Dolphin vaginas will blow your mind

While we were looking for the most frequently googled terms associated with cetaceans we encountered the terms “dolphin sex” and “whale penis”. Generally, penises have been far more in the spotlight than vaginas for a long time. For instance, the Icelandic Phallological Museum was established in 1997 in Reykjavík (including a range of cetacean specimens).

Dolphin vaginas will blow your mind Read More »

Will whales be hunted for profit in the future?

Commercial whaling is a complicated topic. Almost everybody has a strong opinion about it, and discussions can get heated quickly. So let’s take a deep breath and try to keep the blood pressure low. Nowadays, three countries openly conduct commercial whaling: Japan, Norway, and Iceland. Indigenous people in various parts of the world, e.g., Alaska

Will whales be hunted for profit in the future? Read More »

Pooping Gold? The Valuable Secret of the Sperm Whale

It is a solid, waxy, greyish substance that smells: Ambergris, is also known as sperm whale vomit (or poop). It has often been described as one of the world’s strangest natural occurrences. You may have heard about it for its use in the production of perfumes and fragrances. You’re probably asking yourself now why smelly

Pooping Gold? The Valuable Secret of the Sperm Whale Read More »

Scroll to Top