Project CETI’s Biology Lead Shane Gero on ‘Whalefall’ and Whale Research

With Whalefall hitting theaters this weekend, we wanted to know just how likely it is for someone to get swallowed by a sperm whale, and if so, whether or not you could survive. Whale biologist Shane Gero sat with us to provide expert advice about the nature of sperm whales, if this scenario can actually take place, and what his research has found beyond the surface.

After screening Whalefall last week, I had one major question that I couldn’t shake: can you actually be swallowed by a whale? I then began wondering how even if it was possible, would you be able to survive? We’ve heard these kinds of stories before. Whether in the biblical context of Jonah being swallowed by a big fish or in cautionary tales about pirates being swallowed whole, I know I’m not the only person to have wondered just how likely this scenario could be.

Thankfully, there is a plethora of resources and experts available who have not only examined the validity of these questions, but they’ve also gone much further into analyzing whale lifestyles, cultures, linguistics, and so much more. Shane Gero is one such expert, whose efforts as a Canadian whale biologist have led him to work as a Scientist-in-Residence at Ottawa’s Carleton University. He is also the Founder of The Dominica Sperm Whale Project which examines sperm whale families in the Eastern Caribbean. Notably, Gero is a Biology Lead for Project CETI, a non-profit organization that analyzes and translates sperm whale communications in the Eastern Caribbean.

From answering whether or not someone could be swallowed by a sperm whale to discussing his extensive work with them and their ecosystems, we were able to examine all the things that make sperm whales uniquely magnificent. Watch our full conversation here:

You can find more about Shane Gero’s work with Project CETI here.