Extraordinary footage captures the rare call of elusive dwarf minke whales
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef.
The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat.
Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly.
"It was a wonderful vocalisation.
"One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes.
"This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out."
From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland.
Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far.
The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s.
READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
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The Advertiser
26-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Extraordinary footage captures the rare call of elusive dwarf minke whales
Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef. The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat. Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly. "It was a wonderful vocalisation. "One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes. "This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out." From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland. Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far. The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s. READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef. The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat. Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly. "It was a wonderful vocalisation. "One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes. "This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out." From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland. Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far. The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s. READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef. The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat. Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly. "It was a wonderful vocalisation. "One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes. "This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out." From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland. Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far. The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s. READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers Extraordinary footage has captured the distinctive call of the elusive dwarf minke whale at the Great Barrier Reef. The unusual vocalisation bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic swoosh of a Star Wars lightsaber in the recording, captured on the Ocean Quest Diver's Den tour boat. Minke Whale Project founder Dr Alastair Birtle said while researchers, divers and snorkellers can witness this sound while observing the whales underwater, it's rare for it to be caught on camera so clearly. "It was a wonderful vocalisation. "One of the best 'du-du-du-dannnnngs' I've ever heard in my time working with the Minkes. "This one was really special, because he was probably a big male and the vocalisations were incredibly loud and really elaborate, really long, drawn out." From June to July, dwarf minke whales make a short pilgrimage each year to Ribbon Reefs off Cooktown in Queensland. Dr Birtle said the start of the 2025 whale season had been "fantastic" with more than a dozen sighted so far. The dwarf minke whales were discovered for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef in the 1980s. READ MORE: A puppy, exotic fish and a meat tray... surprising items left in Ubers
Perth Now
13-06-2025
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Spaceballs: Lewis Pullman in talks to star alongside father Bill Pullman in sequel
Lewis Pullman is in negotiations to appear in the Spaceballs sequel. The Thunderbolts* actor, 32, is in talks to star in the upcoming follow-up to Mel Brooks' 1987 sci-fi parody movie alongside his 71-year-old father, Bill Pullman, The Hollywood Reporter has said. Bill Pullman will be returning as his Han Solo-esque character Lone Starr, while Rick Moranis is slated to reprise his role as Dark Helmet in what will be his first on-screen cinematic appearance in nearly 30 years. Daphne Zuniga - who played Princess Vespa in the original flick - is also expected to come back for the sequel. While Brooks is not due to direct the Spaceballs follow-up, the 98-year-old filmmaker will reprise his role as Yogurt in the movie, with Will and Harper director Josh Greenbaum set to helm the project for Amazon MGM Studios. Rounding out the cast of the Spaceballs sequel is Keke Palmer, who has reportedly boarded the project in an undisclosed role, according to Deadline. While plot details about the Spaceballs follow-up are being kept under wraps, it has been described as 'a non-prequel, non-reboot sequel part two, but with reboot elements, franchise expansion film'. The flick is being written by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad, with the latter scribe also expected to star in and produce the film alongside Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody, Brooks and Greenbaum. Meanwhile, Kevin Salter, Adam Merims, Samit, and Hernandez are to serve as executive producers. The Spaceballs sequel is slated to hit screens in 2027. Spaceballs - which parodied sci-fi franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek and Planet of the Apes - followed Lone Starr (Pullman) and his loyal sidekick who are hired to rescue Princess Vespa (Zuniga), only to uncover Dark Helmet's (Moranis) plan to steal an entire planet's air supply. In November, Gad teased he and the writing team had finished the first draft for the Spaceballs sequel. He told Forbes: 'Without MGM taking me into their Culver prison cells, I can tell you that the draft is done. 'Everybody who's read it has been blown away. The process of working on this with and alongside Mel Brooks has been one of the highlights of my career.' The Frozen star added the whole experience has been 'sort of a fever dream', and said Brooks 'has been so unbelievably supportive, involved, and electrified by this because it's the one that surprisingly got away'. He gushed: 'It's a dream to be able to finally make the reality prophesied by Yogurt in the first movie happen. I can't say more than that. 'I can't tell you anything beyond [the] process at this point, but I can tell you every hour of every day right now is spent making this project closer and closer to reality — and I think we're nearing the end zone here.'
Sky News AU
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Donald Trump names ‘Golden Dome' leader as House GOP advances $38.8 billion in funding for missile-defence project
President Trump on Tuesday named Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein to lead his 'Golden Dome' project to improve and integrate America's missile defense technology — as House Republicans included $25 billion ($38.8 billion AUD) for the plan in the latest version of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.' Trump said the plan would make good on Ronald Reagan's 'Star Wars' project in the 1980s to protect America from incoming nuclear missiles. 'We will truly be completing the job that President Reagan started 40 years ago, forever ending the missile threat to the American homeland,' Trump said in the Oval Office. 'The success rate is very close to 100%, which is incredible when you think of it, you're shooting bullets out of the air,' he said, apparently referring to THAAD missile tests, which have been successful in shooting down intermediate-range ballistic missiles, rather than nuclear-equipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) from countries such as Russia, China and North Korea. 'Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it. So we'll be talking to them. They want to have protection also. So as usual, we help Canada,' Trump said, joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Guetlein. The president said that the new project would be done 'in about three years' by the time he leaves office. The 'Golden Dome' name is taken from Israel's US-funded 'Iron Dome' system that has a high success rate in shooting down short-range missiles from neighboring terrorist groups. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they're launched from space. And we will have the best system ever,' Trump vowed. 'We helped Israel with theirs, and it was very successful, and now we have technology that's even far advanced from that … hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles, all of them will be knocked out of the air.' Hegseth praised the program. 'President Reagan 40 years ago cast the vision for it. The technology wasn't there now it is, and you're following through, saying we will protect the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear.' The pending legislation, whose major provisions include Trump's campaign pledges to cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security benefits, allocates various funding pools for the project. The bill includes $7.2 billion for 'the development, procurement, and integration of military space-based sensors,' $5.6 billion for 'development of space-based and boost phase intercept capabilities,' and $2.4 billion for 'the development of military non-kinetic missile defense effects.' Other funding in the pending bill includes $2.2 billion for 'acceleration of hypersonic defense systems' and $2 billion for 'air moving target indicator military satellites' and $1.97 billion for 'improved ground-based missile defense radars.' The Golden Dome plan offers a potential financial windfall to high-tech US defense contractors and Sens. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined the Oval Office event to tout the potential beneficial effects on industry in their states. US missile defense technology has advanced over the years, but testing has been infrequent and often unsuccessful. The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, the current main US anti-ICBM defense technology, had an intercept success rate of just 57% from 1997 through December 2023, according to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. The three most recent intercept tests — in 2023, 2019 and 2017 — were successful, though real-world scenarios could reduce the system's efficacy and the government says it would be overwhelmed by a full-scale nuclear war with Russia or China. The Pentagon's 2022 Missile Defense Review said: 'GMD is neither intended for, nor capable of, defeating the large and sophisticated ICMB, air-, or sea-launched ballistic missile threats from Russia and [China]. The United States relies on strategic deterrence to address those threats.' As of 2020, the US government spent $53 billion on the GMD system, with another $10 billion expected through 2025, according to the US Government Accountability Office. Other emerging technologies have shown promise against ICMBs, which threaten to lay waste to America in the event of a nuclear war. The Pentagon in 2020 announced that a test of the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile was successful in shooting down an ICBM. Originally published as Donald Trump names 'Golden Dome' leader as House GOP advances $38.8 billion in funding for missile-defence project
