Senegal’s young conservationists: learning ocean biodiversity through whale songs
In Senegal, a groundbreaking initiative is harnessing the captivating sounds of whales to ignite environmental awareness among children. This innovative project is spearheaded by the association Germes d’Écocitoyens à travers les sciences et les traditions dans les univers d’apprentissage (Gestu). Recently, the organization orchestrated three impactful sessions in primary schools across Dakar, featuring Professor Olivier Adam, a distinguished specialist in cetaceans. Our visit takes us to the Alieu Samb primary school in Dakar’s Ngor district, where one such immersive journey into the world of whale communication unfolded.
Seated at their school desks, a class of about thirty CM2 students listened in rapt attention, mesmerized by the recorded sounds of a humpback whale. These captivating audio clips were captured off the coast of Ouakam, Dakar, in 2018 and again in 2022, bringing the deep ocean’s mysteries right into the classroom.
« These songs, the sounds you just heard, belong to humpback whales. These magnificent creatures journey to Dakar to give birth, making their young truly Dakarois, » explained Olivier Adam, a distinguished professor from the Sorbonne.
For this expert in cetacean vocalizations, it is profoundly important to spread the understanding that whales possess a complex language. « I was initially astonished when I first recorded whales and discovered they emitted intentional, structured sounds akin to a language, » shared Professor Adam, who traveled specifically from Paris for these sessions. « Every time I meet students, children, I feel they absolutely must know this. To truly comprehend our oceans today, we need to understand the vibrant species inhabiting them. »
The curious young learners eagerly seized the opportunity to ask a flurry of questions: « How many stomachs does a whale have? How many types of whales are there? How does a whale give birth? What do they eat? »
Fanta, a 12-year-old student, revealed that what impressed her most was « their song and their way of speaking. »
Thierry, the CM2 teacher at Alieu Samb school in Ngor, Dakar, underscored the critical importance of this education about the living world. He recounted his own learning: « Without this knowledge, you wouldn’t know, for instance, what I just learned: that a whale can only have one calf per birth. This means it’s a species that, if not protected, could vanish. »
Babacar Sy, an experienced underwater hunter for over 30 years and the individual responsible for recording these Dakar whales, joined the workshop to highlight the urgent need to combat ignorance. He shared his concern over the diminishing fish populations he observes daily. « I was fortunate enough to experience nature as it was, and to witness its radical transformation. Last year, I caught only five thiofs all year. If we continue on this path, one day we’ll speak of thiof to our children, and they’ll ask what it is, because it will no longer exist, » the seasoned fisherman lamented. « We are heading into a deep hole. For me, it’s time for people to wake up! »
Beyond these sessions, two other schools in Dakar also welcomed Olivier Adam and his whale recordings. Through such efforts, alongside awareness days dedicated to waste collection, the Gestu association is actively working to foster a profound shift in societal attitudes towards environmental stewardship.
