For the last two summers a team of scientists led by Andy Foote has been studying killer whales around Shetland, part of a bigger study of the population of the north-east Atlantic.
During their time here the “whalers”, as they were referred to locally, spent most of their time in the North Isles and the Wind Dog Cafe in Gutcher was something of a home and headquarters to them.
Not only could they eat at the Wind Dog, but they could use the wireless connection for their computers and keep up with their emails. Now the work here is complete and they leave Shetland, the next project a study in the Western Isles.
Last year when the Shetland study started the team gave an illustrated presentation to an interested gathering and through that and all the friends they made they were able to built up a network of people who kept them informed of any whale sightings. They were highly mobile and responded at a moment’s notice.
Last Wednesday evening the Wind Dog was packed to the door with people listening to Dr Foote give an hour-long talk about the work in Shetland and at the end there was generous time given to questions and the opportunity to speak to him and his colleagues.
They have identified around 1,000 killer whales in the north-east Atlantic and they have been able to obtain a large number of samples to build a DNA database. They have discovered that, like some land animals, whales sometimes die because their teeth have worn away and they can no longer feed.
It seems that the killer whales that feed on seals have far less wear on their teeth than the animals that dine on herring and mackerel. They may live to be as old as 60 or even 80, whereas fish eaters may be finished at the age of 30 or 40. To satisfy hunger whales will eat at least one seal per day and the fish eaters will devour herring by the hundred.
The talk was part of the Shetland Nature Festival and it was attended by many of those involved. Organiser Helen Moncrieff was there as well as Brydon Thomason and Wendy Dickson. Television presenter Simon King was there with his family and he was seen busying himself helping the staff to clear tables and shift chairs.
At the end of the talk and the questions Dr Foote thanked the Wind Dog, especially Margaret Tulloch and Maggie Bowler for all their hospitality and friendship, and he presented a framed set of four photographs of killer whales to Andy Ross, co-owner of the cafe, to mark the landmark birthday that he has recently celebrated.
The whalers have clearly enjoyed their time here. Dr Foote said he would be back and added that “Shetland would not be a bad place to live”.
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