SAUGUS — At the YMCA Thursday morning, dozens of kids took a trip in a “whalemobile,” thanks to Cynde McInnis, also known as “the whale lady,” and her inflatable life-size replica of a humpback whale.
The event, organized by the Saugus Public Library, was one of many led by McInnis, who travels around the country during the summer to teach kids who might not have the chance to visit the coast and learn about ocean conservation.
“I came to care about the environment because I cared about the whales,” McInnis said. “If we can get kids to love something when they are little, then as they get bigger they are going to be more protective of that thing they love.”
McInnis’s replica is based on a real humpback whale named Nile, after a large black line on her tail that resembles the Nile River. McInnis first encountered Nile while leading a whale-watching tour off the coast of Massachusetts in 1995 and has seen her nearly every summer since. She chose Nile as the inspiration for the replica in part due to Nile’s friendly personality.
McInnis, a naturalist with 7 Seas Whale Watch in Gloucester, said Nile consistently approaches whale-watching tours and likes to swim near the boats.
Ahmed Yassin, 7, of Saugus is one of many children who climbed inside the replica to learn how whales and humans are anatomically similar and how ocean conservation can help whales.
Yassin was relieved to know that humpback whales, which are his favorite animal, are not capable of swallowing humans whole. He, however, was sad to learn that the whale population is decreasing, as well as the negative impact overfishing and pollution have on aquatic animals.
“If they still have those nets, they should use them to pick up trash,” Yassin said.
Saugus Public Library Head of Children’s Services Amy Melton said the whalemobile’s visit fit in well with the library’s other programming this summer. This year’s summer reading program theme is “Oceans of Possibility” and the library’s children’s room is covered with ocean murals. The summer reading program also includes prize incentives for reading. This year’s prizes include tickets to a whale-watching tour and tickets to see Beluga whales at the New England Aquarium.
The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library is also funding donations to the Center for Coastal Studies based on the amount of time kids spend reading in the program.
“It’s hard to talk about the ocean without getting very serious and we don’t want to depress the kids so we are very careful about how we talk about it,” Melton said. “They are excited to help animals and they feel proud that their reading can help animals in the ocean.”
When she is not traveling, McInnis co-organizes a conservation campaign called Year of the Right Whale. The campaign exists to protect the North Atlantic Right Whale, which received its name from whalers who determined they were the “right” whale to hunt. Today, there are only around 400 North Atlantic right whales left in the world.
While teaching, McInnis focuses on ways kids can help, such as picking up trash in their local communities and sharing a love for whales.
“All I talk about is trash because that is what they can control,” McInnis said. “I don’t want to go into the really bad stuff. I want them to leave being like, ‘Whales are so cool.’”
Rachel Barber can be reached at [email protected].
