WNPS lecture: The Unorthodox Whales Of Sri Lanka

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka will hold its monthly lecture on July 17

This month's lecture is titled ‘The Unorthodox Whales Of Sri Lanka: Conservation through science and engagement’ by Asha de Vos

Asha de Vos is a marine biologist and educator with a strong affinity for marine mammals. Armed with degrees from the Universities of St. Andrews, Oxford and Western Australia she aims to increase the conversation about conservation through innovative outreach tools, strong international collaborations and good quality science.

Asha's primary research focuses on the blue whale populations around Sri Lanka and forms the first long-term study on this species within the northern Indian Ocean. Currently a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California Santa Cruz, she is working with a team of scientists to try to reduce the impact of ship strike on this unique population of blue whales.For her efforts Asha has been awarded a Zonta Women of Achievement Award 2011, TOYP (Ten Outstanding Young Person's) Award for Environmental Leadership 2013, President's Award for Scientific Publications in Sri Lanka 2014, selected as one of Reach Out's female role models in Sri Lanka and selected as one of the top female graduates to watch in Australia 2014.

Asha coined the term 'The Unorthodox Whale' based on many years of research on the blue whales around Sri Lankan waters and a realisation that they were simply different. She first presented the concept of 'the Unorthodox Whale' to the world at the TED2012 conference in Long Beach, California.

The lecture will be held on Thursday July 17, at 6:15 p.m. at the Department of Meteorology Auditorium, 383, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. All are welcome.