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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Naked female scientist swims with Belugas in freezing Arctic


Princess of whales: How a naked female scientist tries to tame belugas in the freezing Arctic

Last updated at 12:02 AM on 16th June 2011

Braving sub-zero temperatures, she has thrown caution — and her clothes — to the wind to tame two beluga whales in a unique and controversial experiment.
Natalia Avseenko, 36, was persuaded to strip naked as marine experts believe belugas do not like to be touched by artificial materials such as diving suits.
The skilled Russian diver took the plunge as the water temperature hit minus 1.5 degrees Centigrade.
The beauty of nature: Like a scene from a classic pre-Raphaelite painting, naked Natalia Avseenko swims with beluga whales in the Arctic
The beauty of nature: Like a scene from a classic pre-Raphaelite painting, naked Natalia Avseenko swims with beluga whales in the Arctic
Belugas are famed for the way in which their faces are able to convey human-like expressions. Certainly Matrena and Nilma seemed to enjoy frolicking with Natalia. 
The taming of the whales happened in the Murmansk Oblast region in the far north-west of Russia at the shore of the White Sea near the Arctic Circle branch of the Utrish Dophinarium.
    An area of the sea is enclosed  to stop whales and dolphins getting out and instructors tame the mammals before they are transported to dolphinariums around the world — a practice many animal conservationists consider cruel. 
    Belugas have a small hump on their heads used for echo-location and it was thought that there would be more chance of striking up a rapport with them without clothes as a barrier. 
    Breathtaking: the scientist uses yoga techniques to hold her breath for up to ten minutes at a time ask she frolics with the whales, Nilma and Matrena
    Breathtaking: the scientist uses yoga techniques to hold her breath for up to ten minutes at a time ask she frolics with the whales, Nilma and Matrena
    Come on in, the water's lovely: The whales wait for Natalia to take the plunge, but the sub-zero waters are enough to kill most people within five minutes
    Come on in, the water's lovely: The whales wait for Natalia to take the plunge, but the sub-zero waters are enough to kill most people within five minutes
    The average human could die if left in sub-zero temperature sea water for just five minutes.
    However, Natalia is a yoga expert and used meditation techniques to hold her breath and stay under water for an incredible ten minutes and 40 seconds.
    There are around 100,000 belugas in the wild. 
    The first to be held in captivity was shown at Barnum's Museum in New York in 1861, and there are belugas in aquariums and sea life parks across Europe, North America and Asia.
    Their large range of 'facial expressions' comes from them having a more flexible bone structure than other whales.
    Certainly these two had a big smile for the naked Natalia. 
    Rare space: Natalia's encounters with the whales take place in an area of sea which is enclosed to stop whales and dolphins getting out
    Rare space: Natalia's encounters with the whales take place in an area of sea which is enclosed to stop whales and dolphins getting out
    Attraction: There are around 100,000 belugas in the wild but they are also in sea life parks and aquariums around the world
    Here's looking at you: Belugas have a wider range of 'facial expressions' due to a more flexible bone structure
    Here's looking at you: Belugas have a wider range of 'facial expressions' due to a more flexible bone structure, and it has made them a hit in aquariums around the world


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004042/Naked-female-scientist-tries-tame-beluga-whales-arctic.html#ixzz1PP33uiFo

    2 comments:

    1. Hi there! We share the same interest, except that I like to make fun of mainstream news, hahahaha! In fact, that's my favourite area for all sorts of subjects, you can't imagine how good source of laughter it can be! And I write them in my own language, I'm best inspired by local people and events, my friends are having such fun reading them, hahaha! Greetings from Serbia!
      Mirjana Eric
      http://romi68.blogspot.com/

      ReplyDelete
    2. Eric Mirjana,
      But You so have been able be expiated in cool Arktike.
      Again Russia ahead of planet whole.
      Success and health ;-))
      http://interw4buz.ru/
      BeeJoiv
      17.06.2011

      ReplyDelete