Tara Obaidy (@GobboGoose) 2024
Whales play a vital role in keeping our oceans healthy. When whales release nutrient-rich excrement plumes into the water, they provide essential elements like iron and nitrogen that fertilise phytoplankton. These microscopic plant-like organisms form the foundation of marine food webs and even help regulate the Earth’s climate by capturing CO2. In this way, whales support biodiversity and enhance productivity across the oceans.
This fascinating story inspired The Whale Poo Quadrille, an imaginative animation presented by BU at the European Cetacean Society 2026 Conference Film Night. The film uses humour and creativity to bring an important ecological message to younger audiences. Opening with the playful line, “Will you poo a little faster,” said the phytoplankton to the whale, it introduces the idea of ocean nutrient cycles in a memorable way. The animation has been created by BU graduate Tara Obaidy (BA Computer Animation Art and Design, 2023) and was inspired by Shaftesbury writer Richard Foreman’s take on Lewis Carroll’s Lobster Quadrille. Tara is currently working towards her MA in Visual Communication at Birmingham City University. The project is being managed by BU Visiting Fellow Dr. Jocelyn Elson-Riggins, with marine food web expertise provided by Prof. Genoveva Esteban (School of Life and Environmental Sciences). It has been developed in collaboration with Stichting Rugvin’s Whale Poo Ambassador Programme and the environmental network Planet Shaftesbury.
Left to Right: Stichting Rugvin’s Maxime Weber and Frank Zanderink with Jocelyn Elson-Riggins and Tara Obaidy at Film Night, European Cetacean Society 2026 Conference in Dundee, Scotland.
Tara and Jocelyn presented the film at the conference in Dundee, Scotland, sharing the project with an international audience of marine researchers and conservationists. The team is now preparing to bring The Whale Poo Quadrille to an even wider audience by launching it on YouTube, where it will be freely available for all to enjoy.
Behind animation: How technology is changing the landscape of computer animation
Computer Animation Techniques Workshop
Congratulation on newly published systematic review
Equitable Partnerships in Global Health Research
New Nepal-based paper published last week
Congratulation to HEMS colleagues on their new book!
Book edited by BU academics published
Horizon Europe Cluster 3 (Civil Security for Society) 2026 Calls Now Open
MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar
ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026: Application Deadline Extended to Thursday 25 June 2026
Reminder: Register for the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 Information Session
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease
I really like the idea of using animation and humor to explain something as important as the role whales play in ocean ecosystems. Turning the “whale pump” concept into a memorable story for younger audiences is a creative way to make marine science more accessible. It’s also great to see this kind of collaboration between artists and scientists being recognized at an international conference—it shows how effective science communication can be when different disciplines work together.