Human Whale Interaction Study-

Aims of Study

Ø      To increase knowledge and understanding of how whales interact with humans

Ø      Record the impact of the whale interactions on humans

Methodology

Ø      Data was analysed using  a qualitative phenomenology approach. This approach looks at the phenomena of the experience and explains it in terms of wht happens to participants

Ø      65 people were interviewed via audio tape and video tape over 2 seasons of whale interaction

Main question – What did you feel and experience when you saw the whales?

Process of Analysis

Ø      Natural meaning units were extracted from the  transcribed interviews

Ø      Experiences relating to self, other people and the world were extracted

Ø      Central themes were extracted

Central Themes Identified

Ø      Expression of joy, happiness, wonder

   and euphoria

“I was happy and I was joyful with the whales and the waves”

“My heart was just bursting with joy

Central Themes Identified

Ø      Desire to protect the whales and fear that they may be easily harmed because of their trust.

“How do we stop them from killing the whales?”

“  ..wanting to weep and cry for them, a sadness pertaining to their vulnerability and defenselessness”

“It’s just great!... Yes amazing and awe inspiring”

Ø      Feelings of amazement, awe inspiring, awesome, overwhelming.

“It was just amazing and awe inspiring”

Ø      For many it was a kind of spiritual experience

•         a feeling of oneness

•         losing awareness of time

•         a powerful connection with nature

•         being totally present or in the now

•         gaining clarity and insight

•         Spiritual experience

“It was totally timeless…it could have been 5 minutes or 5 hours”

“There is a heart connection with nature”

“I got a clear message that I must stay aligned to my purpose and to get back to that”

Ø      Excitement

“It’s been fantastic…It was really cool and I was really excited to see one”