Marine Life & Conservation
Where’s Ellen? Part One… (Watch Video)
In the first in an exclusive new series of blogs, renowned underwater and wildlife photographer Ellen Cuylaerts, takes Scubaverse visitors on her latest travel adventures…
After talking at Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) in Singapore 4 years ago, it was about time I would return for another visit and contribute to the special 25th anniversary ADEX celebrations with a talk, some panel discussions, live judging of the Voice of the Oceans Photo Competition and, imagine that at 49, participating in a fashion show wearing hand-painted designs by the talented Anne K. Adijuwono representing 25 endangered species.
This year’s ADEX is dedicated to plastic-free oceans and that’s something I’m very passionate about!
But I’m also passionate about reducing my already awful carbon footprint flying around, hence I try to minimize flying back and forth home unnecessarily and maximize ‘layover’ time looking for things I would otherwise not experience.
Singapore as my destination triggered an article I recently read about two otter families living in the Marine Bay. A true wildlife soap drama took place where the Bishan 10 family chased the Marine family, even resulting in the death of a pup. That’s the course of nature, but otters are known to be very elusive and are also known to only thrive close to clean waterways… and this species, smooth-coated otters, were on the critically endangered list in Singapore but they were also spotted on a regular basis.
The perfect reason for me to include three days of urban wildlife exploration in my trip!
Through Facebook I got in touch with the group Ottercity and they sent me a map of the huge territory the otters lived in and the time of day to best go out and explore.
On Day One, my jetlag and a late arrival only got me outside at noon, 33 degrees Celsius, hot and humid, but I walked the area for scouting. I did not carry my heavy lens and, to my surprise, I could hardly believe it, I spotted three otters in the river, munching on a freshly-caught fish. Pure joy to witness! Their human-like behavior in using their tiny webbed hands and standing tall on their wide tail, brought an instant smile on my face.
I took a few shots but mostly observed them and followed them around, which is hard because once they swim, they’re very fast.
The next day I did two rounds, morning and evening, 15 miles in total, but no otters spotted.
On my last day before ADEX would start, I decided to leave a bit later, my gut feeling told me the overcast weather and rain would also have an effect on the otters. At my return point, no otters sighted, I deviated and stopped at a Lily pond in the Gardens by the Bay to take a picture for my Mom’s birthday. I thought the frogs must be huge because they stirred up quite a bit, except… they were not frogs but… my beloved otter family. They hung out a while, playing hide and seek with each other. It was hard to take images, and suddenly they were gone.
The scouting of the previous two days came in handy and I anticipated on their next move running and sweating from point A to B to C where I found all 15 of them sleeping in the sand. I spent a whole two hours watching them sleep and taking images, sweaty, on my hand and knees in the sand (go low, go slow, go close), already out of water supply since I found them at the Lily pond, but nothing could make me leave them.
And then they woke up and off they went again, and off I went again too! Another hour of swimming action, running, eating and making funny sounds communicating with each ‘otter’. And as soon as I spotted them… they were gone, leaving me exhausted, sunburned but extremely grateful I took these days and went on a mission! Otterly pleased I should say!
This whole experience feels especially poignant with ADEX dedicated to plastic-free oceans and the otters a symbol of Singapore’s greening policy creating a healthier river system. I’m so very happy to have found the otters here…
Find out more about Ellen and her photographic adventures at www.ellencuylaerts.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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