Community teams up to save stranded whales. In response to a pod of 50 pilot whales that were found beached in Banks Peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island, some 80 community members, including holiday visitors, worked to save the whales and return them to the ocean waters.
Although 15 of the mothers and calves did not survive, 35 were successfully restored, thanks to the help of the community volunteers who were led by the marine-mammal rescue organization, Project Jonah.
The reason for the strandings, which have increased over time, is not completely known. However, scientists have suggested that global warming’s effect on the complex ocean environment is a factor.
We are saddened to know that mothers and babies lost their lives but thankful to Project Jonah and all rescuers for their tireless efforts to save the pod. May our greater consideration for the delicate marine environment allow the whales to continue gracing our world with their loving presence.
In response to a question about whale stranding during a 2008 videoconference with our Association members in Thailand, Supreme Master Ching Hai shared a deeper perspective on this behavior and its connection to humanity’s wider impact on the environment
Q (m): We have been seeing dolphins and whales stranding themselves in many places throughout the world, more often in the past few years. Are these events related to the global warming?
And are these animals trying to tell humans something?
Supreme Master Ching Hai: Yes, yes. They have been telling us a long time already, but very few listen. Poor souls. What suffering they must have endured, due to our carelessness and unkind habits.
Let’s hope the humans will develop more spiritually and understand the needs of the animals, and give them love and respect as they deserve. I hope the humans wake up soon. For their own sake even, and the animals’ sake.
If we just stop meat eating, stop killing animals for food, then 80% global warming gas pollution will disappear. And we will live in peace, health, happiness, and long life again.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/mass-burial-held-stranded-whales-3341231http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3258074/50-whales-saved-15-die-as-port-rescue-pays-off http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/24/AR2010012400497.html http://www.greenfudge.org/2010/01/24/48-pilot-whales-stranded-along-new-zealand-33-of-them-saved/ http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2010/01/24/Whales-die-after-New-Zealand-beaching/UPI-94681264383595/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3260515/Whales-taken-to-final-resting-placeExtra NewsNorway announces a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 30% by 2020 in response to the Copenhagen Accord, with further lowering possible to match other countries’ goals.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60R2M020100128The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launches new web site called “Climate Kids" at climate.nasa.gov/kids to help school children learn about global warming and how they can reduce their carbon footprint.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2010-033&rn=news.xml&rst=2466The European Union states that Italy will halt fishing of the threatened bluefin tuna for 12 months to allow the species to replenish, as it encourages countries like France and Spain toward similar measures.
http://www.france24.com/en/20100130-italy-halts-bluefin-fishing-year-euResidents of Pakistani Kashmir, a region known for its natural beauty, have begun offering prayers for rain to quench the drought that now forces them to walk many miles for fresh drinking water.
http://article.wn.com/view/2010/01/25/Climate_Change_Hits_Natural_Paradise_of_Kashmir/