:-)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7155255.stm

Could'nt they just hunt down Sumo wrestlers instead?

So all that vital research will be put on hold? The Japanese won't be able to answer those burning scientific questions like "how does tempura humpback taste?"

Aww

I think they were more concerned with making aphrodisiacs so they can put the hump back into their overcooked rice kernels

This is only postponement of killing 50 humpbacks for THIS year....they are still going to slaugter 1000 other whales in the "name of research"!!!

ooops! my bad. would be nice if i was right though.

Minke and Finn whales will still be hunted (up to 900 whales) but the Humpbacks (which are protected) will not be hunted this year.

On the bright side, Japan has bowed to political pressure from the US, UK and Australia and have stopped the Humpback whale hunting, who knows perhaps by this time next year they won t hunt the Humpies at all.

But I think that general demand for Whale meat in Japan is on the decline, especially since the younger generation has not been exposed to it (due to a moratorium) and do recognize it as cruel.

I will be ramming their Whaling boats in spirit

How can anyone hunt and kill such beautiful animals it makes me sick

Leave them alone

trivia: did you know the whales closest (land) relative is thought to be the hippo

Crazy, I would have never made the connection.

I believe that. In spring we went kayaking with blue whales in Baja. It was amazing. I did smell the whales when they were close and it did remind me of the smell in the building at the Zurich Zoo where they keep the Hippos.

Wow lucky you i checked your photos really nice

Thanks. It makes you feel tiny when a 35 m long animal swims under you.

i can only imagine maybe one day i ill be lucky enough to see for myself oneday

I hope so - with all the whaling, noise pollution from cavitating propellers, pollution, marine exploitation etc. the whales truly do not have it easy these days.

I agree completely poor sealife also with the recent oil spill

You're going to love this..

the elephant's closest land relative is the dassie

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7150627.stm

actually it was some kind of fox/dog like animal.........

which gives credence to Ian Brown's theory that "Dolphins were Monkeys".

Yep saw the same article in German, but did not know what to call it in English. Since this article (at least in CH) appeared today, this must be the (currently known of) closest relative to our marine friends.