July 2006

Youth Groups conduct dig for buried whale

Glengad and Malin Head youth groups are this week attemping to dig up bones of a Minke whale buried on Port Ronan Bech in the late 1990's. They are being assisted by Emmet Johnston, advisor to environmental education group, Nature.

This event is a summer camp for youths organised to raise the awareness with young people in the local area about marine wildlife. The bones are being exhumed over the period 10th - 14th July. They will then go on display in the new wildlife Display area at Fort Dunree for the month of August. This will conincide with the many other events planned at Fort Dunree on the Marine life theme during August. See www.nature.ie for more information on the whale dig and national Whale Watch Day at Fort Dunree, a fun and educational event for all the family. Or come down and visit Port Ronan and give the youths some encouragement and watch the Dig in Progress.

The event is organised by Tish McDaid and Carmel McLoughlin of Malin Head youth group and Sile Smith of Glengad youth group with E. Johnston advisor to Nature and overall assistance, co-ordination and support by P.J. Hannlon of the Inishowen Partnership. Would also like to use the opportunity to launch an appeal for information on whales and dolphins around the Inishowen coast.

We are appealing to anyone who has old photogaphs news paper articles, video footage, slides, or even stories about whales that there have been washed up or seen on or around the shores of Inishowen. If it was a hundred years ago, or last year we'd like to know about it. If it was a whale, a turtle, a shark, a dolphin or an purpose we would like to hear all bout your enconters. All the information we gather will be presented and dislayed under the title ' The story of Whales and Dolphins around Inishown', The display will be at Fort Dunree during the whole month of August. This will coincide with other marine displays and events during August being held at Fort Dunree.

Find our more www.nature.ie. Don't be shy and please don't assume we already know about particular sightings or whale and dolphin stranding. Please get in contact, every piece of information is important to building up the story of whales and dolphins around Inishowen.

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