Special Idiots

(Artist credit: junefeier @ Deviant Art)

Yesterday was another dark day in Taiji, Japan.  25 striped dolphins were slaughtered mercilessly and without remorse.  While global awareness of this has increased at an amazing rate over the last few years, there are moments when I wonder if we'll ever see the end of this.  Not just in Taiji, but in the killing of pilot whales in Denmark, whaling in Japan, Norway, Iceland, etal, and other places too numerous to mention.

I recently learned about Diana Reiss, the author of The Dolphin in the Mirror and one of the founders of the website Act for Dolphins.  I've requested The Dolphin in the Mirror from my local library and based on what I've heard, it comes highly recommended among several of my dolphin friends.

I also found an article about her here:  Studying the Big-Brained Dolphin

I find it highly encouraging that more scientists are jumping on board in support of cetaceans and even supporting the notion that these mammals deserve human rights recognition. One such opinion piece I found is here:  Whales are People Too

Even some notable experts in Japan are speaking up more against whaling and one such example is this pdf pamphlet now available in English online that was published last June 2011.  You can find that here:  Research Whaling? 

One highly suspected culprit in why so many whales and dolphins around the world are stranding themselves lies in the military use of sonar.  Will suing the military make a difference?  I don't know.  But I'm heartened by the efforts of so many compassionate souls out there bringing this to every one's attention:  Groups Sue Over Navy Sonar Impacts on Marine Mammals

Another example of people coming together to speak up and to protect these mammals is A Voice of the Orcas.  This site was put together by a group of former Sea World trainers who are now making their voices heard on what really goes on at Sea World.  Please help spread the word on this.

Here's some good news!  As you know, Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has not only been active in helping to protect whales, sea turtles, sharks, and dolphins, he's also been instrumental in making people aware of the harp seal cull up in Canada.  Many other organizations and people who've been involved in this deserve all the kudos and credit in the world as well.  It's been a battle that's raged for over 40 years.  According to this article by Paul Watson, it appears these slaughters are finally coming to an end.  You can read his commentary on this here:  The Canadian Seal Hunt is Dead! 

It takes a special class and level of idiocy to not give a shit about what you're doing when you're out on the water in a boat or on a jet ski.  Some people thought it would be a great deal of fun to terrorize a pod of dolphins (with babies) with their jet skis down in Hobart, Australia.   Their self proclaimed ignorance that they were bothering a pod of dolphins is no excuse.  Boating requires one to be mindful and watchful of where you're going and to be careful to not disturb the wildlife.  That's just common sense.

Here's an interesting site that has a page full of varying whale and dolphin links dating back a few years.  Dolphin and Whale News

"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment." ~ Ansel Adams ~