The allure of wood to a dolphin scientist
As a child, the first job I was interested in wasn’t marine biologist — but carpenter. I have always been attracted by the texture and smell of wood, as well as creative handicraft.
As I grew older, the call of marine mammal science became louder, and for more than three decades life provided me with fine opportunities of carrying out dolphin research in various parts of the
Mediterranean Sea.
Still, I have been making attempts of merging my early (wood) and present (marine conservation) passions. That often took the form of carved wood shaped as a dolphin or a fish.
It feels good to alternate field research at sea, or my usual computer work, with a bit of sawing and sanding. After these diversions into the realm of carpentry I can get back to my job of dolphin biologist with a fresh mind.
—— Giovanni Bearzi |
