Geniuses of the Sea

(Image source:  Google Images) 

There's been a great deal of talk lately about giving cetaceans rights equivalent or close to the same rights us humans have.  There's been a lot more reports, scientific  research, books, etc. pointing out via a variety of evidence that cetaceans are not only self aware, but next to humans are the smartest beings on this planet. (I'd argue they are, in many ways, even smarter than us.)

Currently I am reading The Dolphin in the Mirror by Diane Reiss.  It's truly remarkable and if you have not yet read it, please do so.  She lays out a lot of evidence about the cognitive abilities, intelligence, and self awareness of these mammals and calls them Geniuses of the Sea.  It boggles my mind that so many people are either apathetic or unaware of just how insanely brilliant these cetaceans are and yet are being systematically slaughtered.

Last week there was a scientists meeting in Vancouver to discuss this very issue. They want support for a Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans.   One excerpt:

That would mean the end of whaling, and of dolphin and whale exhibits in aquariums and zoos. The creatures would also no longer be used in entertainment. 

You can read this article here:  Should Dolphins and Whales Have Human Rights?

Here's another great article:  A Bill of Rights for Dolphins

I shared this link quite some time ago and it's worth sharing again:  Cetacean Rights  Please sign their declaration and help spread the word.   Remember, no action is too small to be a voice for our friends in the seas.  They need our help now more than ever.

Did you know that Amazon Japan sells whale meat online?  Are you as outraged as I am?  If so, go take a looky here:   Amazon Sells Whale Meat

Check the video on that page, sign the petition, spread the word.  We have no excuses in failing to make Amazon aware of our disgust. 

Time for a blog spotlight.  Holise Cleveland III is the creator of Cyber Whale Warrior and is absolutely worth your time and energy to follow.  Please check out his site, subscribe, or look for him on Facebook as well.  He is a truly dedicated activist for whales and dolphins and has a terrific team on his site regularly posting updates.

On the Sea Shepherd front, remember Japan filed a lawsuit against the SSCS in an attempt to restrain or curtail SSCS's efforts against them in the Southern Ocean.  Well, the whalers lost.  See here:  Japanese Whalers Suffer Setback in their War Against Sea Shepherd

Here's something interesting.  Pro Sea World activists launch censorship petition against David Kirby's book, "Death at Sea World."

Some days I wonder if we'll ever win this battle against those that are killing and enslaving dolphins and whales the world over.  Some days it seems hopeless.  Other times I am proud to bear witness to so many activists on Facebook, via a variety of blogs and websites, videos and movies, reports in the news, etc. and I remain optimistic.  Every single one of us has a role here no matter what size it is.  Never ever give up the fight and never ever let your voices be silenced.  We are collectively the voices for our whale and dolphin friends and we are collectively a force to be reckoned with.

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."  ~ Robert Kennedy ~

"If only I could so live and so serve the world that after me there should never again be birds in cages."  ~ Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen) author, 1885-1962 ~