Tag Archives | whales

Gulf Sperm Whales Considered “Special”?

April 13, 2013

(OCEANS) Even though sperm whales are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced it will decide whether or not the 1,300 sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico should be considered for special protection as a “distinct population segment.” Because sperm whales are genetically different than most whales and face unique threats in the Gulf area, the NOAA will now conduct a 12-month review to consider listing the whales as separate from whales outside of the Gulf—although it’s still unclear what protective measures might be taken. Continue reading to learn more about the reasons for the deliberation and the potential impact this status change could have on the whales as well as the environment. — Global Animal

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Pilot Whales Stranded In South Africa

March 28, 2013

(OCEANS) During 2009, 55 whale carcasses were removed after the marine mammals beached themselves in South Africa. Earlier this week, a similar situation occurred when 19 pilot whales were stranded on Noordhoek Beach near Cape Town. Six of the 19 whales have died, and some of the others may be euthanized. Read on for more on what volunteers and police are doing to help save the remaining 13 whales. — Global Animal

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Animal IQs: Who Is The Smartest?

March 24, 2013

This photo gallery places one animal aside another to compare wits. Though every species has innumerable strengths and skills (and many we human animals can only aspire to), some animals are standout brainiacs. See who! The findings may surprise you.  — Global Animal

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California Rejects Navy’s Deadly Sonar Program

March 21, 2013

(OCEANS) Following pleas from several animal activists and environmental groups including the Whale & Dolphin Watch team, the California Coastal Commission has voted to reject the U.S. Navy’s plan to increase their use of sonar and underwater explosives during training off the Southern California coast. Opposed by several environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace, the Navy’s plan was unanimously ruled against for lacking sufficient evidence that the threat to marine life would be negligible. While the Navy estimates that the proposed program would kill 130 marine mammals and cause hearing loss in 1,600 animals over a span of five years, the Natural Resources Defense Council believe these numbers are stark underestimates. Read on to learn more about this ongoing issue and take a moment to give thanks to the activists involved in this grand victory. — Global Animal

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Sea Shepherd Calls Off Operation Zero Tolerance

March 14, 2013

(OCEANS) November 5, 2012 marked the official launch date of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s (SSCS) ninth annual Southern Ocean campaign, Operation Zero Tolerance (OZT). The extremely successful mission to stop Japanese whalers in their tracks consisted of the organization’s strongest fleet yet, including four ships—Steve Irwin, Bob Barker, Brigitte Bardot, and Sam Simon—as well as a helicopter, eight small RIB’s, three drones, and over 100 international volunteers. Now, Sea Shepherd volunteers can pack up their bags after Captain Paul Watson announced late last week that the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign has prematurely come to an end. Read on to learn more about Sea Shepherd Australia’s success in what is being coined as the most successful Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign yet. — Global Animal

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U.S. Navy Sonar Threatens Marine Life (VIDEO)

March 7, 2013

(OCEANS) Whale & Dolphin Watch is a grass roots organization committed to bringing awareness to the public of the U.S. Navy’s history of killing and harassing thousands of whales and dolphins through their underwater sonar and sound programs. They are fighting to “stop or call attention to those that kill and pollute until new technology is embraced and in a place to protect all sea life.” Read on to learn more about Activesonr signals negative impact on marine life and sign the petition to put an end to the U.S. Navy’s underwater sonar sound program and protect our Earth’s whales and dolphins. — Global Animal

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Whale Wars End In Battle Royale

February 20, 2013

(OCEANS) Sea Shepherd alleges that two of its vessels were hit by a Japanese ship in Australian Antarctic waters. The incident occurred after the anti-whaling group was ordered to leave the area by a Japanese whaling boat. This lead to the use of “concussion grenades” and more severe vessel damage. Paul Watson, the founder of Sea Shepherd, says it is unlikely the whalers will resume their hunt this season. Read more to find out why the whale hunt might not continue. — Global Animal

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Sperm Whales Adopt Deformed Dolphin

February 5, 2013

(OCEANS) Researchers were astonished to stumble upon a most unusual discovery near the Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean after witnessing a pod of sperm whales hanging out with a deformed bottlenose dolphin calf over a period of eight days in 2011. The lone dolphin calf had a rare spinal curvature that may have made the animal unable to keep up with other dolphins. Read on to learn more about this odd animal friendship. — Global Animal

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