Edith Graef McGeer - Society for Neuroscience

Patrick L. McGeer and Edith GraefMcGeer 361
in dry dock and subsequently moved to a wired pen off Jericho beach in
Vancouver. We were uncertain what to feed it because the diet of killer
whales was unknown. It took some time for the whale to take up domestic
feeding, but once it commenced eating fish, the whale responded very
quickly, much as had previously been observed with dolphins.
Unfortunately, the whale developed a lung infection and died. A model of
that first whale adorns the Vancouver Aquarium foyer, but a more
significant result was a scientific report on the detailed physiological
and biochemical parameters of O. orca. The most striking organ was the
brain. It weighed 6450 grams, one of the largest brain sizes ever recorded.
The real value of the expedition lay in demolishing myths about killer
whales.
The capture and domestication of that first killer whale led to a chain
reaction of captures. Now, more than 32 aquariums throughout the world
display these spectacular mammals. In each case, killer whales are the
main attraction and chief source of revenue. Killer whales are no longer a
feared and predatory species to be eliminated. They have delighted audiences
throughout the world. They have become an admired and respected
species to be carefully protected! Restrictions are placed on their capture,
and there is now a flourishing environmental movement to free the
whales.
Murray organized another whaling expedition in 1968. This was to the
Canadian high Artie to observe the strangest of all cetaceans, the narwhal.
The males have a protruding tusk, which is really a long, pointed upper
incisor tooth. It is said that such whales inspired tales of the legendary
unicorn. Pat was assigned the role of cook. The narwhals were observed in
abundance along the northern coast of Baffin Island. Two years later, the
team returned, this time netting five narwhals, which were flown back to
the Vancouver Aquarium. Tragically, all five died, so narwhals are still a
mysterious species, although their brain complexity cannot compare with
that of killer whales.
Meetings
Young neuroscientists should take every opportunity to attend scientific
meetings in their field. This is where inanimate names on scientific papers
are transposed into personalities. It is where stimulating discussions on
scientific problems can take place and shoulders can be rubbed with veterans
in the field. Great distances often separate close scientific colleagues,
and meetings provide the venue for future collaborations. The Society for
Neuroscience meetings have become far too large for the intimacy we
found so valuable in our early years in the field. We treasure memories of
forming new friendships in the stimulating atmosphere of previously
untraveled places. The early meetings of the International Society of