Meet the 2023 Interns: Kaylee McKenna

Tell us the story of what sparked your interest in the environment, conservation, and/or whales and dolphins 

When I was about five or six years old, I refused to go into one of my parent’s favorite restaurants. Davey’s Locker was a restaurant in New Bedford that was on the water, where Cisco’s is today. In a stroke of genius, my mother told me I would be able to see whales from the window. She was just trying to avoid a tantrum but I’ve been searching for whales ever since- all because of a little white lie. 

While I was studying  at the University of Maine, I wrote a social sciences paper on the interactions between fisherman and right whales. I knew then that whales were not just a childhood fascination I never grew out of. After I graduated, my path took me away from marine biology and conservation, but I was always trying to learn more about right whales and other cetaceans. I knew I had to jump on this opportunity for the little five year old girl who started it all.

Why did you want to be an intern with WDC? 

When I first discovered the job application, I started to learn more about what the WDC did and I knew it was the place for me!  I knew working with the WDC would be a wonderful opportunity to gain experience in marine biology while learning from people who love whales as much as I do. I was particularly excited about being able to contribute to the protection of North Atlantic Right Whales, a species I have always felt so connected to.

What are you most excited to learn/do during your internship? 

I am the most excited about learning more about marine mammal stranding response and possibly getting some hands-on experience. Growing up in southeast Massachusetts, I have seen and heard so much about local stranding events but didn’t know anything about stranding response or any technical information. I think it will be really interesting to get an insider’s look at stranding responses.

What is your favorite fact about marine mammals? 

Bowhead Whales live to be about 200 years old! In fact, harpoons from 19th century whalers have been recovered in modern whales. While the whale was found in Alaska, the harpoon was identified as an exploding lance made in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Based on the age of the harpoon, the whale was estimated to be at least 115 years old.