Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back.

Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles)&nbsp;all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii. However, as per The North Coast Cetacean Society a.k.a., BC Whales, &nbsp;it is likely that Moon will die soon.

Watch |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker | Study: Blue Whales eat 10 million pieces of microplastics daily

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The non-profit whale-research organisation that is dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans along the northern coast of British Columbia, as per Guardian said that Moon's story is a stark reminder of the growing dangers that these gentle marine giants face along Canada's west coast.

"It’s absolutely amazing...but also it just breaks your heart," said Janie Wray the CEO of BC Whales, as she talked about the whale's long migratory journey that too without the use of her tail due to the broken back.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chimpanzees-show-objects-to-others-just-like-humans-to-simply-grab-attention-study-534256" hreflang="en">Chimpanzees show objects to others, just like humans to simply grab attention: Study</a>

The organisation as per a post on Instagram first noticed Moon's injury on September 7.&nbsp;

"As our drone hovered overhead we immediately recognized that this whale had been struck by a vessel due to the unnatural ‘S’ bend in the spine from the dorsal fin to her fluke," said the organisation, adding "In her current condition, she will not survive to make the return journey."

<img alt="Moon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39a5f306-7e1d-4efb-9229-5fd778011667" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2817%29_1.png" />

Image courtesy: BC Whales/Instagram

On December 1, the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) spotted a whale with a severely deformed spine and it was soon confirmed that it was Moon. Humpback whales have a " tradition of migrating between feeding and breeding grounds". She was most probably born in Hawaii which is a breeding ground for whales like her.&nbsp;

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When spotted with the deformity the second time, she was found to be "emancipated and covered with whale lice as a testament to her severely depreciated condition."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/climate-change-may-kill-65-per-cent-of-insects-on-earth-says-a-study-533970" hreflang="en">Climate change may kill 65 per cent of insects on Earth, says a study</a>

"This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards, " said the whale protection organisation in its post.&nbsp;

BC Whales further said that while we may never truly understand the strength it must've taken for Moon to complete this journey, the tenacity must be respected.&nbsp;

It added that we must "recognise that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end," and urged boaters to be aware of the local laws and best practices. It further urged mariners to "stay alert, slow down and wait" adding that vessels of all sizes "can be a threat".

(With inputs from agencies)

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Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back. Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles) all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii.

Three months and thousands of kilometres: that's how much Moon the humpback whale has travelled, that too with a broken back. Navigating ocean swells and currents, in immense pain the whale has travelled 5,000km (3,100 miles) all the way from British Columbia to Hawaii. However, as per The North Coast Cetacean Society a.k.a., BC Whales, it is likely that Moon will die soon. Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Study: Blue Whales eat 10 million pieces of microplastics daily The non-profit whale-research organisation that is dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans along the northern coast of British Columbia, as per Guardian said that Moon's story is a stark reminder of the growing dangers that these gentle marine giants face along Canada's west coast. "It’s absolutely amazing...but also it just breaks your heart," said Janie Wray the CEO of BC Whales, as she talked about the whale's long migratory journey that too without the use of her tail due to the broken back. Also read | Chimpanzees show objects to others, just like humans to simply grab attention: Study The organisation as per a post on Instagram first noticed Moon's injury on September 7. "As our drone hovered overhead we immediately recognized that this whale had been struck by a vessel due to the unnatural ‘S’ bend in the spine from the dorsal fin to her fluke," said the organisation, adding "In her current condition, she will not survive to make the return journey." Image courtesy: BC Whales/Instagram On December 1, the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) spotted a whale with a severely deformed spine and it was soon confirmed that it was Moon. Humpback whales have a " tradition of migrating between feeding and breeding grounds". She was most probably born in Hawaii which is a breeding ground for whales like her. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BCWhales (@bcwhales) × When spotted with the deformity the second time, she was found to be "emancipated and covered with whale lice as a testament to her severely depreciated condition." Also read | Climate change may kill 65 per cent of insects on Earth, says a study "This is the stark reality of a vessel strike, and it speaks to the extended suffering that whales can endure afterwards, " said the whale protection organisation in its post. BC Whales further said that while we may never truly understand the strength it must've taken for Moon to complete this journey, the tenacity must be respected. It added that we must "recognise that vessel strikes lead to a devastating end," and urged boaters to be aware of the local laws and best practices. It further urged mariners to "stay alert, slow down and wait" adding that vessels of all sizes "can be a threat". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Absolutely amazing...but also breaks your heart': Moon the humpback whale travels 5000kms with a broken back

Researchers have estimated that blue whales take in about 10 million pieces of microplastics each day, suggesting that the omnipresent pollution poses a bigger danger to the world's largest animal than previously thought.

WION Climate Tracker | Study: Blue Whales eat 10 million pieces of microplastics daily

A new study has claimed that whales are the largest consumers of plastic waste on earth right now as they end up consuming millions of such particles in a single day. The study included blue, fin and humpback whales and took into account the different natural habitats spread across the world.&nbsp;

According to the study, blue whales end up consuming over 10 million plastic pieces in a day which means that during the feeding season, they can end up consuming over 230 kg of plastic. Depending on how polluted the surrounding is, the report claimed that the total consumption can cross 500 kg.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-uk-government-working-on-war-gamed-emergency-plans-to-cope-with-energy-blackouts-530599" hreflang="en">Is UK government working on 'war gamed' emergency plans to tackle energy blackouts?</a>

“What we found was surprising – really high numbers of daily plastic ingestion,” Dr Shirel Kahane-Rapport, at California State University, Fullerton, who led the study said. &nbsp;

“We imagine that it will have some sort of impact but we don’t know the exact health effects. This is the first step to figuring that out,” she added while explaining the findings in the report.&nbsp;

The main objective of the study is to understand the current situation where whales are directly getting impacted by pollution. According to the researchers involved in the study, the data will play a crucial role in understanding and developing the future plan to make the habitat better for the whales. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-kremlin-confirms-resumption-of-grain-deal-530532" hreflang="en">Ukraine war LIVE | Putin warns Ukraine against 'violating' the grain deal</a>

“Whales feeding in those areas certainly might be at greater risk than off the coast here in the western US,” said Dr Matthew Savoca, at Stanford University, told The Guardian.&nbsp;

“It’s a sad story about whales, but also it’s a story about us. Whether it’s cod or salmon or other fish, they are eating those same fish that the humpback whales are eating,” he added.&nbsp;

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A new study has claimed that whales are the largest consumers of plastic waste on earth right now as they end up consuming millions of such particles in a single day.

A new study has claimed that whales are the largest consumers of plastic waste on earth right now as they end up consuming millions of such particles in a single day. The study included blue, fin and humpback whales and took into account the different natural habitats spread across the world. According to the study, blue whales end up consuming over 10 million plastic pieces in a day which means that during the feeding season, they can end up consuming over 230 kg of plastic. Depending on how polluted the surrounding is, the report claimed that the total consumption can cross 500 kg. Also read | Is UK government working on 'war gamed' emergency plans to tackle energy blackouts? “What we found was surprising – really high numbers of daily plastic ingestion,” Dr Shirel Kahane-Rapport, at California State University, Fullerton, who led the study said. “We imagine that it will have some sort of impact but we don’t know the exact health effects. This is the first step to figuring that out,” she added while explaining the findings in the report. The main objective of the study is to understand the current situation where whales are directly getting impacted by pollution. According to the researchers involved in the study, the data will play a crucial role in understanding and developing the future plan to make the habitat better for the whales. Also read | Ukraine war LIVE | Putin warns Ukraine against 'violating' the grain deal “Whales feeding in those areas certainly might be at greater risk than off the coast here in the western US,” said Dr Matthew Savoca, at Stanford University, told The Guardian. “It’s a sad story about whales, but also it’s a story about us. Whether it’s cod or salmon or other fish, they are eating those same fish that the humpback whales are eating,” he added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Whales consume millions of plastic particles in a day, new study claims

A boat capsized near the town of Kaikoura, New Zealand. As per reports, the vessel collided with a whale and a rescue operation was initiated. Meanwhile five bodies were recovered from inside the vessel.

New Zealand: 5 killed in boating accident; possible whale collision capsizes boat

A terrifying incident was caught on camera when a huge humpback whale landed on a small boat in Massachusetts, United States on Sunday. The shocking footage was posted to social media.&nbsp;

US-based media outlets reported that the boat that had a close encounter with a large whale was anchored off of White Horse Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-terrifying-footage-shows-great-white-sharks-fierce-attack-on-the-divers-cage-500646">Terrifying footage shows Great White Shark's fierce attack on the diver's cage</a>&nbsp;

In the video, it is seen that all of a sudden, the whale jumped out of the water and crashed onto the boat. Media reports stated that there were no reports of injuries as all passengers were apparently to be at the stern of the boat, which did not capsize.&nbsp;

Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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WOW! New video shows a WHALE landing on a small boat off the coast of Plymouth this weekend! More on this wild encounter: <a href="https://t.co/D6mggKejRa">https://t.co/D6mggKejRa</a> <a href="https://t.co/wqID6Ppn2t">pic.twitter.com/wqID6Ppn2t</a>
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WCVB/status/1551511830731816967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/unbelievable-a-100-pound-sailfish-leaps-out-of-water-and-stabs-woman-on-boat-off-florida-coast-500533">Unbelievable! A 100-pound sailfish leaps out of water and stabs woman on boat off Florida coast</a>&nbsp;

Ryder Parkhurst, a witness told NBC Boston: "It was insane. The guy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all. Pops up…bang! Right on the bow of the guy’s boat."&nbsp;

He added, "I just saw the boat go freaking flying, it was crazy. It was nuts. I couldn't believe the thing was still floating."&nbsp;

As quoted by local media outlets, the town said the Plymouth Harbormaster Department had forwarded information about the incident to the Massachusetts Environmental Police.&nbsp;

It has been recommended by the Harbormaster Department to boaters to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from whales to "minimize potential interactions."&nbsp;

Many boats had been out in the area for recreational fishing on Sunday. It is understood that the bait fish were abundant, apparently, the reason why&nbsp;whales were attracted to the area.&nbsp;

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A terrifying incident was caught on camera when a huge humpback whale landed on a small boat in Massachusetts, United States on Sunday. The shocking footage was posted to social media.

A terrifying incident was caught on camera when a huge humpback whale landed on a small boat in Massachusetts, United States on Sunday. The shocking footage was posted to social media. US-based media outlets reported that the boat that had a close encounter with a large whale was anchored off of White Horse Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts. WATCH | Terrifying footage shows Great White Shark's fierce attack on the diver's cage In the video, it is seen that all of a sudden, the whale jumped out of the water and crashed onto the boat. Media reports stated that there were no reports of injuries as all passengers were apparently to be at the stern of the boat, which did not capsize. Watch the video here: WOW! New video shows a WHALE landing on a small boat off the coast of Plymouth this weekend! More on this wild encounter: https://t.co/D6mggKejRa pic.twitter.com/wqID6Ppn2t — WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) July 25, 2022 × ALSO READ | Unbelievable! A 100-pound sailfish leaps out of water and stabs woman on boat off Florida coast Ryder Parkhurst, a witness told NBC Boston: "It was insane. The guy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all. Pops up…bang! Right on the bow of the guy’s boat." He added, "I just saw the boat go freaking flying, it was crazy. It was nuts. I couldn't believe the thing was still floating." As quoted by local media outlets, the town said the Plymouth Harbormaster Department had forwarded information about the incident to the Massachusetts Environmental Police. It has been recommended by the Harbormaster Department to boaters to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from whales to "minimize potential interactions." Many boats had been out in the area for recreational fishing on Sunday. It is understood that the bait fish were abundant, apparently, the reason why whales were attracted to the area. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Caught on cam: Terrifying moment when huge whale landed on a small boat

Great White Shark is the mean killing machine of the deep oceans. It is not often that you see in nature, a creature whose every fibre has evolved over millions of years for one purpose, to hunt. The great white has a nose that can detect a drop of blood in gallons of seawater, it has a superb submarine-like body that lets it swim vast distances efficiently. And finally, it has its feared jaws, immortalised by many movies as it was shown to (rather unfairly) chase and enjoy eating humans.&nbsp;

But the formidable lurker of the deep has been found to rather quickly run away from another predator. Can apex predator like the great white be actually scared of anything? It appears so.

Dyer Island in South Africa is considered to be Great White Shark capital of the world. Since 2017, researchers have recorded eight Great White Shark caracasses washed ashore. The number of great white sharks has dropped and they seem to be avoiding the waters in this area.

Initially, it was thought that overfishing and other human activities were driving the sharks away. But a research team led by marine biologist Alison Towner of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust found something else.

The wounds on these shark carcasses were distinctive. And almost all of them were missing liver or heart.

Using tracking data and information from local fisherfolk, the researchers zeroed in on what it was that was scaring Great White Sharks away.

It was a pair of Orca or Killer Whales. This pair was hunting the apex predator of the ocean and muching on the nutritious livers of their captured prey. The duo was so effcient in their hunting that remaining great whites scarpered away, not to be seen for months an end.

The team's findings have been published in African Journal of Marine Science.

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Great White Shark is the mean killing machine of the deep oceans. It is not often that you see in nature, a creature whose every fibre has evolved over millions of years for one purpose, to hunt.

Great White Shark is the mean killing machine of the deep oceans. It is not often that you see in nature, a creature whose every fibre has evolved over millions of years for one purpose, to hunt. The great white has a nose that can detect a drop of blood in gallons of seawater, it has a superb submarine-like body that lets it swim vast distances efficiently. And finally, it has its feared jaws, immortalised by many movies as it was shown to (rather unfairly) chase and enjoy eating humans. But the formidable lurker of the deep has been found to rather quickly run away from another predator. Can apex predator like the great white be actually scared of anything? It appears so. Dyer Island in South Africa is considered to be Great White Shark capital of the world. Since 2017, researchers have recorded eight Great White Shark caracasses washed ashore. The number of great white sharks has dropped and they seem to be avoiding the waters in this area. Initially, it was thought that overfishing and other human activities were driving the sharks away. But a research team led by marine biologist Alison Towner of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust found something else. The wounds on these shark carcasses were distinctive. And almost all of them were missing liver or heart. Using tracking data and information from local fisherfolk, the researchers zeroed in on what it was that was scaring Great White Sharks away. It was a pair of Orca or Killer Whales. This pair was hunting the apex predator of the ocean and muching on the nutritious livers of their captured prey. The duo was so effcient in their hunting that remaining great whites scarpered away, not to be seen for months an end. The team's findings have been published in African Journal of Marine Science. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Great White Shark is king of the deep, but it is scared of this predator

A six meter long whale has been found dead on a small beach next to Panama city historic center. The tail part of the whale has been found missing.

Six-metre long whale found dead on a beach in Panama

Fossil remains of a whale 36-million-year old, were presented in Lima. The whale inhabited seas of Peru millions of years ago.

This 36 million-year-old whale inhabited Peru seas

The World Marine Foundation on Tuesday said that rescue teams were successful in saving two stranded whales along Atlantic coast of Argentina.

The whales were stranded on a beach in seaside resort town of La Lucila del Mar. The town is 220&nbsp;miles (360 kilometres south of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires.

"The first, which was stranded on Sunday, was a juvenile female humpback whale, 32 feet (9.8 meters) long and approximately eight tons in weight," the conservation group said in a statement.&nbsp;

The second fish, which "is a male of the same species, 28 feet long, and approximately seven tons, appeared Monday night," the foundation added.&nbsp;

About 30 people participated in the rescue. This included local residents, marine conservationists, Civil Defense members, coast guard officers, firefighters, volunteers and beach lifeguards.&nbsp;

Their collective efforts allowed the animals to return to the sea, the statement said.&nbsp;

"Upon arriving to survey the first animal's situation, primary support efforts were immediately carried out, including assuring the individual's position allowed it to breathe, keeping its pectoral fins underwater in order to stabilize its body temperature as much as possible," the organization said.&nbsp;

The whole procedure was "difficult," the group said. At one point, the force of the waves knocked the whale over so that the mammal's blowhole was underwater and it was unable to breathe.&nbsp;

"Thanks to a quick action, they were able to turn it over," said Sergio Rodriguez Heredia, a biologist at the World Marine Foundation's Rescue Center.&nbsp;

Rescuers tucked cables underneath the whale's body -- connected to a huge backhoe tractor crane -- hoping to free it from the sandy sea floor.&nbsp;

The workers noticed the second whale overnight, seeing it was in a "good state of health," said Augusto Giachetti, director of the Civil Defense's coastal division.&nbsp;

They waited until dawn to begin the second whale's rescue.&nbsp;

"It was necessary to realign the animal, using the assistance of a backhoe and special cables to move it a big enough distance that it was able to float," he Giachetti said.&nbsp;

Once the whale realized it was able to float, it swam out to sea.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The World Marine Foundation on Tuesday said that rescue teams were successful in saving two stranded whales along Atlantic coast of Argentina. The whales were stranded on a beach in seaside resort town of La Lucila del Mar.

The World Marine Foundation on Tuesday said that rescue teams were successful in saving two stranded whales along Atlantic coast of Argentina. The whales were stranded on a beach in seaside resort town of La Lucila del Mar. The town is 220 miles (360 kilometres south of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires. "The first, which was stranded on Sunday, was a juvenile female humpback whale, 32 feet (9.8 meters) long and approximately eight tons in weight," the conservation group said in a statement. The second fish, which "is a male of the same species, 28 feet long, and approximately seven tons, appeared Monday night," the foundation added. About 30 people participated in the rescue. This included local residents, marine conservationists, Civil Defense members, coast guard officers, firefighters, volunteers and beach lifeguards. Their collective efforts allowed the animals to return to the sea, the statement said. "Upon arriving to survey the first animal's situation, primary support efforts were immediately carried out, including assuring the individual's position allowed it to breathe, keeping its pectoral fins underwater in order to stabilize its body temperature as much as possible," the organization said. The whole procedure was "difficult," the group said. At one point, the force of the waves knocked the whale over so that the mammal's blowhole was underwater and it was unable to breathe. "Thanks to a quick action, they were able to turn it over," said Sergio Rodriguez Heredia, a biologist at the World Marine Foundation's Rescue Center. Rescuers tucked cables underneath the whale's body -- connected to a huge backhoe tractor crane -- hoping to free it from the sandy sea floor. The workers noticed the second whale overnight, seeing it was in a "good state of health," said Augusto Giachetti, director of the Civil Defense's coastal division. They waited until dawn to begin the second whale's rescue. "It was necessary to realign the animal, using the assistance of a backhoe and special cables to move it a big enough distance that it was able to float," he Giachetti said. Once the whale realized it was able to float, it swam out to sea. (With inputs from agencies)

Two beached humpback whales rescued in Argentina

In a heart-breaking incident, a “distressed” killer whale caged at a water park in Canada was filmed smashing her head against the side of the tank after outliving her five babies.

The 30-second clip was taken by anti-captivity activists at MarineLand, Niagara Falls, Canada,&nbsp;earlier this month and shared on social media.

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'World's loneliest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#whale</a>': Heart-breaking footage shows 'distressed' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/orca?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#orca</a> banging head against tank after outliving her 5 babies <a href="https://t.co/LO4D1NlGDT">pic.twitter.com/LO4D1NlGDT</a>
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The footage of Kiska, dubbed by the Whale Sanctuary Project as “the loneliest whale in the world”, was captured by anti-captivity activist and whistleblower Phil Demers, who used to work at the park in Ontario.

According to reports, the 44-year-old orca was born off the coast of Iceland and has been in captivity since 1979, according to Demers.&nbsp;

She has spent the last 10 years alone after outliving her tank mates, including her five offspring.

Killer whales are extremely social animals, which in the wild live in groups or 'pods' comprising of several multi-generational families.

“For over 40 years, she has suffered the loss of her freedom, her babies, and all of her tank mates,” British tabloid The Sun&nbsp;quoted UK-based Orca Rescues Foundation as saying.

“For the past 10, she has been in complete social isolation from others of her kind. This is what her loneliness, and her captivity, has done to her.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a heart-breaking incident, a “distressed” killer whale caged at a water park in Canada was filmed smashing her head against the side of the tank after outliving her five babies.

In a heart-breaking incident, a “distressed” killer whale caged at a water park in Canada was filmed smashing her head against the side of the tank after outliving her five babies. The 30-second clip was taken by anti-captivity activists at MarineLand, Niagara Falls, Canada, earlier this month and shared on social media. 'World's loneliest #whale': Heart-breaking footage shows 'distressed' #orca banging head against tank after outliving her 5 babies pic.twitter.com/LO4D1NlGDT — Hans Solo (@thandojo) September 13, 2021 × The footage of Kiska, dubbed by the Whale Sanctuary Project as “the loneliest whale in the world”, was captured by anti-captivity activist and whistleblower Phil Demers, who used to work at the park in Ontario. According to reports, the 44-year-old orca was born off the coast of Iceland and has been in captivity since 1979, according to Demers. She has spent the last 10 years alone after outliving her tank mates, including her five offspring. Killer whales are extremely social animals, which in the wild live in groups or 'pods' comprising of several multi-generational families. “For over 40 years, she has suffered the loss of her freedom, her babies, and all of her tank mates,” British tabloid The Sun quoted UK-based Orca Rescues Foundation as saying. “For the past 10, she has been in complete social isolation from others of her kind. This is what her loneliness, and her captivity, has done to her.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘World’s loneliest whale’: Footage showing distressed orca banging her head against a tank goes viral

Scientists in&nbsp;Egypt have discovered a&nbsp;43 million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown amphibious four-legged whale species.

Tracing&nbsp;the transition from&nbsp;land to sea, the&nbsp;newly discovered whale belongs to the Protocetidae,&nbsp;a group of extinct whales that falls in the middle of that transition.

Its fossil was unearthed from middle Eocene rocks in the Fayum Depression in Egypt's Western Desert,&nbsp;an area once covered by sea that has provided a rich seam of discoveries showing the evolution of whales, before being studied at Mansoura University Vertebrate Palaeontology Centre (MUVP).

The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters (10 feet) and a body mass of about 600 kg (1,300 lb), and was likely a top predator, the researchers said. Its partial skeleton revealed it as the most primitive protocetid whale known from Africa.

"Phiomicetus anubis is a key new whale species, and a critical discovery for Egyptian and African paleontology," said Abdullah Gohar of MUVP, lead author of a paper on the discovery published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

The whale's genus name honours the Fayum Depression and species name refers to Anubis, the ancient canine-headed Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife.

Despite recent fossil discoveries, the big picture of early whale evolution in Africa has largely remained a mystery, the researchers said. Work in the region had the potential to reveal new details about the evolutionary transition from amphibious to fully aquatic whales.

With rocks covering about 12 million years, discoveries in the Fayum Depression "range from semiaquatic crocodile-like whales to giant fully aquatic whales", said Mohamed Sameh of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, a co-author.

The new whale has raised questions about ancient ecosystems and pointed research towards questions such as the origin and coexistence of ancient whales in Egypt, said Hesham Sellam, founder of the MUVP and another co-author.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists in Egypt have discovered a 43 million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown amphibious four-legged whale species. Tracing the transition from land to sea, the newly discovered whale belongs to the Protocetidae, a group of extinct whales that falls in the middle of that transition.

Scientists in Egypt have discovered a 43 million-year-old fossil of a previously unknown amphibious four-legged whale species. Tracing the transition from land to sea, the newly discovered whale belongs to the Protocetidae, a group of extinct whales that falls in the middle of that transition. Its fossil was unearthed from middle Eocene rocks in the Fayum Depression in Egypt's Western Desert, an area once covered by sea that has provided a rich seam of discoveries showing the evolution of whales, before being studied at Mansoura University Vertebrate Palaeontology Centre (MUVP). The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters (10 feet) and a body mass of about 600 kg (1,300 lb), and was likely a top predator, the researchers said. Its partial skeleton revealed it as the most primitive protocetid whale known from Africa. "Phiomicetus anubis is a key new whale species, and a critical discovery for Egyptian and African paleontology," said Abdullah Gohar of MUVP, lead author of a paper on the discovery published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The whale's genus name honours the Fayum Depression and species name refers to Anubis, the ancient canine-headed Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife. Despite recent fossil discoveries, the big picture of early whale evolution in Africa has largely remained a mystery, the researchers said. Work in the region had the potential to reveal new details about the evolutionary transition from amphibious to fully aquatic whales. With rocks covering about 12 million years, discoveries in the Fayum Depression "range from semiaquatic crocodile-like whales to giant fully aquatic whales", said Mohamed Sameh of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, a co-author. The new whale has raised questions about ancient ecosystems and pointed research towards questions such as the origin and coexistence of ancient whales in Egypt, said Hesham Sellam, founder of the MUVP and another co-author. (With inputs from agencies)

Ancient four-legged whale found in Egypt named after god of death

Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday evening to watch rescue workers attempt to free a small whale which became stranded in the River Thames in south-west London.

Whale becomes stranded in London's River Thames

Once hunted to near extinction, whales continue to face threats from marine pollution, ships & abandoned fishing gear. Why must these evolutionary marvels be protected?

Wion Wideangle: Whales under attack: Calls from the deep

Whales under attack: Calls from the deep | WION Wideangle

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel.

The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/only-3-of-45-pilot-whales-survive-mass-stranding-in-indonesia-364867">Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia</a>

Heavy winds and gigantic waves were seen in Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline over Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing tonnes of tar into the beaches.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-new-population-of-blue-whales-was-discovered-hiding-in-the-indian-ocean-352725">A new population of Blue Whales was discovered hiding in the Indian Ocean</a>

Initially, it was believed that the whale could have died due to tar pollution&nbsp;

However, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority have brushed aside this theory and said the state of whale showed that it had died about two weeks ago.&nbsp;

"The whale's arrival cannot be linked to the tar pollution," the authority was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Earlier, David Halfon, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said the body of the whale is "quite rotten", making it "impossible" to find the cause of death with certainty, as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Fin Whale is the world's second-biggest mammal species after the Blue Whale.&nbsp;

The environmental protection ministry said it would locate the source of the pollution, adding that the cleanup would be "long and difficult".

Volunteers from a number of NGOs along with the ministry started cleaning up the beaches after emergency funds were released to expedite the manual cleaning.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel. The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve.

A probe has begun after a 17-metre-long (55ft) fin whale was found washed up on a beach in southern Israel. The dead whale, weighing about 25 tonnes, was found on Thursday on the beach in the Nitzanim nature reserve. Also read | Only 3 of 45 pilot whales survive mass stranding in Indonesia Heavy winds and gigantic waves were seen in Israel's entire Mediterranean coastline over Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing tonnes of tar into the beaches. Also read | A new population of Blue Whales was discovered hiding in the Indian Ocean Initially, it was believed that the whale could have died due to tar pollution However, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority have brushed aside this theory and said the state of whale showed that it had died about two weeks ago. "The whale's arrival cannot be linked to the tar pollution," the authority was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Earlier, David Halfon, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said the body of the whale is "quite rotten", making it "impossible" to find the cause of death with certainty, as reported by news agency Reuters. Fin Whale is the world's second-biggest mammal species after the Blue Whale. The environmental protection ministry said it would locate the source of the pollution, adding that the cleanup would be "long and difficult". Volunteers from a number of NGOs along with the ministry started cleaning up the beaches after emergency funds were released to expedite the manual cleaning.

Probe launched after 17-metre-long whale found dead in Israeli beach

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done. Human activities have changed the shape and element of Earth, so to speak. The hazardous effect span from those to the biosphere as well as atmosphere. Global warming, Greenhouse gases are problems enough, but out footprint on the only planet we call home has endangered species of plants and animals.

A study has hinted that US Navy's Sonar use may be a factor behind increased beachings of whales in the Pacific. Beaching refers to the giant fish coming out of the water and getting stuck on beaches and losing lives in many instances. The effect of Sonar on whale beaching has been seen in Northern Marina Islands in western Pacific Ocean. These islands are surrounded by USA's Mariana Islands Training and Testing area (MITT).

In February last year, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography published a study in which they had examined effect of Sonar on whale beachings. The study noted beachings of at least 10 Cuvier's beaked whales that took place between 2006 and 2019. Many of them occurred within six days of Sonar use by US armed forces.

A hypothesis suggests that Sonar waves cause whales to surface too quickly. forming bubbles in their blood and organs.

US Navy spokesperson Lieutenant James Adams was quoted by the Guardian as saying that there was "insufficient evidence" to suggest that navy's use of the Sonar had caused more whale beachings. 
&nbsp;

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done.

Human activities have always had an impact on nature. Although there has been increased awareness and efforts to mitigate the effects lately, more needs to be done. Human activities have changed the shape and element of Earth, so to speak. The hazardous effect span from those to the biosphere as well as atmosphere. Global warming, Greenhouse gases are problems enough, but out footprint on the only planet we call home has endangered species of plants and animals. A study has hinted that US Navy's Sonar use may be a factor behind increased beachings of whales in the Pacific. Beaching refers to the giant fish coming out of the water and getting stuck on beaches and losing lives in many instances. The effect of Sonar on whale beaching has been seen in Northern Marina Islands in western Pacific Ocean. These islands are surrounded by USA's Mariana Islands Training and Testing area (MITT). In February last year, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Scripps Institution of Oceanography published a study in which they had examined effect of Sonar on whale beachings. The study noted beachings of at least 10 Cuvier's beaked whales that took place between 2006 and 2019. Many of them occurred within six days of Sonar use by US armed forces. A hypothesis suggests that Sonar waves cause whales to surface too quickly. forming bubbles in their blood and organs. US Navy spokesperson Lieutenant James Adams was quoted by the Guardian as saying that there was "insufficient evidence" to suggest that navy's use of the Sonar had caused more whale beachings.

US Navy Sonar may be causing whale beachings in Pacific: Study

Scientists have discovered a new species of whale off the western coast of Mexico.

A team working with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society first sighted the creatures three weeks ago, 100 miles north of the San Benito Islands.

The team at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego said there are currently 23 known species of beaked whales, but they are rarely seen because the accomplished divers spend their lives in deep waters.

They can dive 2,000 metres (6,562ft) below the ocean's surface.

They emit distinct acoustic echolocation signals under the water that are unique to each species.

Last month, a team of researchers on board a Sea Shepherd vessel, called Martin Sheen, observed three beaked whales swimming in nearby waters.

Scientists have discovered a new species of whale off the western coast of Mexico. A team working with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society first sighted the creatures three weeks ago, 100 miles north of the San Benito Islands.

Scientists have discovered a new species of whale off the western coast of Mexico. A team working with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society first sighted the creatures three weeks ago, 100 miles north of the San Benito Islands. The team at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego said there are currently 23 known species of beaked whales, but they are rarely seen because the accomplished divers spend their lives in deep waters. They can dive 2,000 metres (6,562ft) below the ocean's surface. They emit distinct acoustic echolocation signals under the water that are unique to each species. Last month, a team of researchers on board a Sea Shepherd vessel, called Martin Sheen, observed three beaked whales swimming in nearby waters.

Scientists have found new species of beaked whale off coast of Mexico

Thai researchers have unearthed a partially fossilised, rare skeleton of Bryde whale. The skeleton is believed to be around 5000 years old. It was found at an inland site west of Bangkok. A cyclist found the 12.5 metre long skeleton. The vertebrae were exposed from the ground. The discovery was made in early November. Excavation is going on since.

"This whale skeleton is thought to be the only one in Asia," said Pannipa Saetian, a geologist in the Fossil Protection division of the Department of Mineral Resources.

"It’s very rare to find such a discovery in near-perfect condition," said Pannipa, estimating that about 90% of the whale's skeleton had been recovered.

"Yesterday we found the right shoulder and fin," she said, noting that about 36 backbone pieces had been unearthed.

The bones needed to be carbon-dated in order to determine the exact age of the skeleton, she said.

Once the painstaking process of cleaning and preserving the fragile skeleton is complete it will be exhibited.

Scientists hope the skeleton will provide more information to aid research into Bryde's whale populations existing today as well as the geological conditions at the time.

Bryde's whales, sometimes known as tropical whales for their preference for warmer waters, are found in coastal waters in parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, including in the Gulf of Thailand.

(With Reuters inputs)

Thai researchers have unearthed a partially fossilised, rare skeleton of Bryde whale. The skeleton is believed to be around 5000 years old. It was found at an inland site west of Bangkok.

Thai researchers have unearthed a partially fossilised, rare skeleton of Bryde whale. The skeleton is believed to be around 5000 years old. It was found at an inland site west of Bangkok. A cyclist found the 12.5 metre long skeleton. The vertebrae were exposed from the ground. The discovery was made in early November. Excavation is going on since. "This whale skeleton is thought to be the only one in Asia," said Pannipa Saetian, a geologist in the Fossil Protection division of the Department of Mineral Resources. "It’s very rare to find such a discovery in near-perfect condition," said Pannipa, estimating that about 90% of the whale's skeleton had been recovered. "Yesterday we found the right shoulder and fin," she said, noting that about 36 backbone pieces had been unearthed. The bones needed to be carbon-dated in order to determine the exact age of the skeleton, she said. Once the painstaking process of cleaning and preserving the fragile skeleton is complete it will be exhibited. Scientists hope the skeleton will provide more information to aid research into Bryde's whale populations existing today as well as the geological conditions at the time. Bryde's whales, sometimes known as tropical whales for their preference for warmer waters, are found in coastal waters in parts of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, including in the Gulf of Thailand. (With Reuters inputs)

Thai researchers excavate rare whale skeleton

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia.

The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals.

It was "absolutely remarkable" another whale was found alive six days after the pod was first discovered, a Tasmania environment department spokeswoman told AFP, adding that it had been taken back out to sea.

More than 100 rescuers toiled for days in chilly waters, but many volunteers and conservationists have now packed up as efforts turned to disposing of the remaining carcasses.

"There has been a tremendous team effort and this combined commitment has allowed us to get as many whales as we can back out to sea," Parks and Wildlife Service manager Rob Buck said of the "complex rescue".

With more than 300 carcasses spread across a 10-kilometre area (about 6 miles), authorities shifted their focus Sunday to a mass sea burial.

Boats have begun towing the dead whales into the open ocean, where they will be released over several days.

Authorities have warned that more whales could be found in the area, with some animals likely to become beached for a second time.

The causes of mass strandings remain unknown, but some experts have suggested the pod may have gone off track after feeding close to the shoreline or by following one or two whales that strayed.

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia. The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals.

A lone whale was rescued from among hundreds of carcasses Sunday, taking to 110 the number of creatures that survived a mass stranding in southern Australia. The country's largest-ever mass stranding saw around 470 pilot whales become stuck in a remote harbour on Tasmania's rugged western seaboard last week, sparking a major effort to save the animals. It was "absolutely remarkable" another whale was found alive six days after the pod was first discovered, a Tasmania environment department spokeswoman told AFP, adding that it had been taken back out to sea. More than 100 rescuers toiled for days in chilly waters, but many volunteers and conservationists have now packed up as efforts turned to disposing of the remaining carcasses. "There has been a tremendous team effort and this combined commitment has allowed us to get as many whales as we can back out to sea," Parks and Wildlife Service manager Rob Buck said of the "complex rescue". With more than 300 carcasses spread across a 10-kilometre area (about 6 miles), authorities shifted their focus Sunday to a mass sea burial. Boats have begun towing the dead whales into the open ocean, where they will be released over several days. Authorities have warned that more whales could be found in the area, with some animals likely to become beached for a second time. The causes of mass strandings remain unknown, but some experts have suggested the pod may have gone off track after feeding close to the shoreline or by following one or two whales that strayed.

Final whale saved from grim Australia mass stranding

The majority of a 470-strong pod of pilot whales found stranded off Australia's remote southern coast has died, officials said on Wednesday, as rescuers struggled in freezing waters and fading light to free those still alive.

The group, which is the biggest beaching in the country's modern history, were first spotted a wide sandbank during an aerial reconnaissance of rugged Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania state on Monday.

After two days of a difficult and dangerous rescue attempt, state marine scientists said at least 380 of the long-finned pilot whales had died.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/rescuers-race-against-time-to-save-180-stranded-whales-in-australia-329357" hreflang="en">Rescuers' race against time to save 180 stranded whales in Australia</a>

By late Wednesday, around fifty of the mammals were freed but experts said there was a high likelihood they would return as many did during the rescue attempt a day earlier, creating an exhausting loop for rescuers who cannot work through the night.

The outlook for the remaining 30 stranded and still alive pilot whales, a species of oceanic dolphin that grow to 7 metres (23 ft) long and can weigh up to 3 tonnes, was bleak.

"As time goes on, they do become fatigued and their chance of survival reduces," Nic Deka, Parks and Wildlife Service incident controller said. "We do expect to rescue more but increasingly our focus is what do with the carcasses."

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australia-rescues-25-whales-in-one-of-its-worst-beaching-events-329456" hreflang="en">Australia rescues 25 whales in one of its worst beaching events</a>

The refloating process involves as many as four or five people per whale wading waist-deep in freezing water, attaching slings to the animals so they can be guided out of the harbour by a boat.

The stranding, about 200 kms (120 miles) northwest of the state capital Hobart, is the biggest on record in modern Australia and one of the largest in the world, drawing attention to a natural phenomenon that remains a mystery to scientists.

"It's certainly a major event and of great concern when we potentially lose that many whales out of a stranding event," said Peter Harrison, a professor at the Southern Cross University Whale Research Group.

"Quite often we only get to really see them when there are bad outcomes, such as this stranding event. We absolutely need some more investment in research to understand these whales in Australian waters."

In 1996, 320 pilot whales washed up on the coast of Western Australia, in what was then reported to be the country's biggest mass stranding. About 600 pilot whales beached in nearby New Zealand in 2017.

The majority of a 470-strong pod of pilot whales found stranded off Australia's remote southern coast has died, officials said on Wednesday, as rescuers struggled in freezing waters and fading light to free those still alive.

The majority of a 470-strong pod of pilot whales found stranded off Australia's remote southern coast has died, officials said on Wednesday, as rescuers struggled in freezing waters and fading light to free those still alive. The group, which is the biggest beaching in the country's modern history, were first spotted a wide sandbank during an aerial reconnaissance of rugged Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania state on Monday. After two days of a difficult and dangerous rescue attempt, state marine scientists said at least 380 of the long-finned pilot whales had died. Also read: Rescuers' race against time to save 180 stranded whales in Australia By late Wednesday, around fifty of the mammals were freed but experts said there was a high likelihood they would return as many did during the rescue attempt a day earlier, creating an exhausting loop for rescuers who cannot work through the night. The outlook for the remaining 30 stranded and still alive pilot whales, a species of oceanic dolphin that grow to 7 metres (23 ft) long and can weigh up to 3 tonnes, was bleak. "As time goes on, they do become fatigued and their chance of survival reduces," Nic Deka, Parks and Wildlife Service incident controller said. "We do expect to rescue more but increasingly our focus is what do with the carcasses." In Pics: Australia rescues 25 whales in one of its worst beaching events The refloating process involves as many as four or five people per whale wading waist-deep in freezing water, attaching slings to the animals so they can be guided out of the harbour by a boat. The stranding, about 200 kms (120 miles) northwest of the state capital Hobart, is the biggest on record in modern Australia and one of the largest in the world, drawing attention to a natural phenomenon that remains a mystery to scientists. "It's certainly a major event and of great concern when we potentially lose that many whales out of a stranding event," said Peter Harrison, a professor at the Southern Cross University Whale Research Group. "Quite often we only get to really see them when there are bad outcomes, such as this stranding event. We absolutely need some more investment in research to understand these whales in Australian waters." In 1996, 320 pilot whales washed up on the coast of Western Australia, in what was then reported to be the country's biggest mass stranding. About 600 pilot whales beached in nearby New Zealand in 2017.

Australia says majority of 470-strong beached whale pod has died

A tourist snorkelling off Australia's pristine northwest coast was struck by a whale, and was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition.

The victim was exploring near the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in the Indian Ocean when she was struck by the tail of one of the giant creatures. The area is well known for its close encounters with whale sharks and the even larger humpbacks.

The woman was transferred to a remote airport for evacuation and emergency treatment in Perth.

She sustained "chest injuries" and was said to be in a "serious but stable condition."

Other reports said the 29-year-old was struck by a whale shark, the world's largest fish which can reach a length of 15 meters (50 feet).

A tourist snorkelling off Australia's pristine northwest coast was struck by a whale, and was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. The victim was exploring near the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in the Indian Ocean when she was struck by the tail of one of the giant creatures.

A tourist snorkelling off Australia's pristine northwest coast was struck by a whale, and was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition. The victim was exploring near the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in the Indian Ocean when she was struck by the tail of one of the giant creatures. The area is well known for its close encounters with whale sharks and the even larger humpbacks. The woman was transferred to a remote airport for evacuation and emergency treatment in Perth. She sustained "chest injuries" and was said to be in a "serious but stable condition." Other reports said the 29-year-old was struck by a whale shark, the world's largest fish which can reach a length of 15 meters (50 feet).

Tourist crushed by whale's tail in Australia

Two years ago, a mother orca lost her newborn, but what caught everyone's attention was that this orca carried&nbsp;the dead newborn along with it for nearly two weeks.

Now, after almost two years,&nbsp;Tahlequah, or as the researchers call her 'J35', is pregnant again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/plastic-pollution-flowing-into-oceans-to-triple-by-2040-study-315624">Also read|&nbsp;Plastic pollution flowing into oceans to triple by 2040: Study</a>

In 2018, Tahlequah swam for 17 days with her dead newborn. She later pushed her dead calf toward the surface of the Pacific&nbsp; near the coast of Canada and the Northwestern US.

A sea life response, rehab and research group called&nbsp;SR3 has released drone pictures of&nbsp;Tahlequah which show the body transformation of the killer whale, which clearly indicates that J35 is pregnant again.

SR3 has also revealed that J35 is not the only killer whale pregnant.

The experts have raised concerns as majority of the recent pregnancies of these killer whales have not been successful.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/caged-italian-coastguard-help-giant-sperm-whale-caught-in-illegal-fishing-net-314709">Have a look|&nbsp;Caged: Italian coastguard help giant sperm whale caught in illegal fishing net</a>

"Studies by our colleagues at the University of Washington have shown that these reproductive failures are linked to nutrition and access to their Chinook salmon prey," the online release said. "So, we hope folks on the water can give the Southern Residents plenty of space to forage at this important time."

SR3 also released pictures of L72's body transformation from September 2019 to July 2020, which shows that the whale is in final&nbsp;stages of pregnancy.&nbsp;

<img alt="L72" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76751ea4-ddb7-40b6-b2ff-3477f40cda23" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Killer%20whale%20pregnant.jpg" />

The organisation is urging people people to take care and give ample space to the whales during this important time.

Two years ago, a mother orca lost her newborn, but what caught everyone's attention was that this orca carried the dead newborn along with it for nearly two weeks.

Two years ago, a mother orca lost her newborn, but what caught everyone's attention was that this orca carried the dead newborn along with it for nearly two weeks. Now, after almost two years, Tahlequah, or as the researchers call her 'J35', is pregnant again. Also read| Plastic pollution flowing into oceans to triple by 2040: Study In 2018, Tahlequah swam for 17 days with her dead newborn. She later pushed her dead calf toward the surface of the Pacific near the coast of Canada and the Northwestern US. A sea life response, rehab and research group called SR3 has released drone pictures of Tahlequah which show the body transformation of the killer whale, which clearly indicates that J35 is pregnant again. SR3 has also revealed that J35 is not the only killer whale pregnant. The experts have raised concerns as majority of the recent pregnancies of these killer whales have not been successful. Have a look| Caged: Italian coastguard help giant sperm whale caught in illegal fishing net "Studies by our colleagues at the University of Washington have shown that these reproductive failures are linked to nutrition and access to their Chinook salmon prey," the online release said. "So, we hope folks on the water can give the Southern Residents plenty of space to forage at this important time." SR3 also released pictures of L72's body transformation from September 2019 to July 2020, which shows that the whale is in final stages of pregnancy. The organisation is urging people people to take care and give ample space to the whales during this important time.

Killer whale, J35, who carried dead newborn for weeks is pregnant again

The carcass of an 18-feet-long, one-toed sperm whale washed ashore on Atrankarai near Alakankulam in Ramanathapuram district, on Sunday.

Forest officials later buried it on the beach after conducting an autopsy. Oil and wax products were found from the upper jaw and small intestine of the whale, which are used to make medicine.

Forest officials are investigating the matter to confirm whether it was hunted to dispatch the drug, or was it unable to swim towards the deep seas after being wounded on the rocks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-misplaced-trust-to-loss-of-faith-in-humanity-sketchers-react-on-elephants-murder-303202">Have a look|&nbsp;From misplaced trust to loss of faith in humanity, sketchers react on elephant's murder</a>

Sathish, Forest Officer, said, "The whale species, an 18-foot-long, one sperm whale, washed ashore on Atrankarai seashore near Alangankulam in Ramanathapuram district. These are less common in the Palkpay and the Gulf of Mannar, and only four have been seen in the past four years."

He added, "It is wrong to catch such rare creatures. It violates the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, under which imprisonment ranges from 3 years to 7 years. Therefore, when such fish are found in the sea, I request the fishermen to inform the forest department and take steps to save the fish."&nbsp;

The carcass of an 18-feet-long, one-toed sperm whale washed ashore on Atrankarai near Alakankulam in Ramanathapuram district, on Sunday. Forest officials later buried it on the beach after conducting an autopsy.

The carcass of an 18-feet-long, one-toed sperm whale washed ashore on Atrankarai near Alakankulam in Ramanathapuram district, on Sunday. Forest officials later buried it on the beach after conducting an autopsy. Oil and wax products were found from the upper jaw and small intestine of the whale, which are used to make medicine. Forest officials are investigating the matter to confirm whether it was hunted to dispatch the drug, or was it unable to swim towards the deep seas after being wounded on the rocks. Have a look| From misplaced trust to loss of faith in humanity, sketchers react on elephant's murder Sathish, Forest Officer, said, "The whale species, an 18-foot-long, one sperm whale, washed ashore on Atrankarai seashore near Alangankulam in Ramanathapuram district. These are less common in the Palkpay and the Gulf of Mannar, and only four have been seen in the past four years." He added, "It is wrong to catch such rare creatures. It violates the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act, under which imprisonment ranges from 3 years to 7 years. Therefore, when such fish are found in the sea, I request the fishermen to inform the forest department and take steps to save the fish."

Giant sperm whale washed ashore on Tamil Nadu beach

Activists from the Sea Shepherd conservation organization on Friday (February 21) rescued a Humpback whale that was caught in illegal fishing nets in Mexico's upper Sea of Cortes.

Whale rescued from illegal fishing net in Mexico's Sea of Cortes

Just over a month after resuming whaling, Japan on Sunday began its controversial dolphin hunt in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
The controversial hunting method involves herding dolphins into a cove which is a bay with a narrow entrance that is sealed. The dolphins are&nbsp;reportedly slaughtered by fishermen inside the cove with knives in shallow water. 
 
Japan had announced in July that it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-whales-caught-as-japan-resumes-commercial-hunt-after-30-years-232177">resume commercial whaling</a> from July 1. A global whaling moratorium was imposed in 1986.

Watch: Japan is hunting dolphins again

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe belongs to Shimonoseki, a whaling centre. The Japanese prime minister had long campaigned to restart commercial whaling which began last month.

 
Reports said the island nation had resumed hunting minke whales in the coastal areas off Hokkaido on Monday and is likely to reach the "catch quota" by month-end. The Abe government has reportedly set 1,700 dolphins to be killed or captured. The dolphin hunting season usually lasts for six months. 
 
The Japanese government has apparently&nbsp;set&nbsp;a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-under-pressure-over-past-hunting-of-endangered-whales-243496">catch quota of 53 minke whales</a>&nbsp;in order&nbsp;to prevent over-hunting, however, fishermen could reach the quota in September. 
 
Whales are widely consumed in Japan amounting to roughly 40-50 grams per Japanese person a year although just over 300 people are directly linked to hunting. 
 
Japan had pulled out of International Whaling Commission in December last year as it decided to resume commercial whaling. Japan has now joined Iceland and Norway in whale hunting in open defiance of other countries who signed up to the International Whaling Commission.

Just over a month after resuming whaling, Japan on Sunday began its controversial dolphin hunt in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture. The controversial hunting method involves herding dolphins into a cove which is a bay with a narrow entrance that is sealed.

Just over a month after resuming whaling, Japan on Sunday began its controversial dolphin hunt in the whaling town of Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture. The controversial hunting method involves herding dolphins into a cove which is a bay with a narrow entrance that is sealed. The dolphins are reportedly slaughtered by fishermen inside the cove with knives in shallow water. Japan had announced in July that it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and would resume commercial whaling from July 1. A global whaling moratorium was imposed in 1986. Watch: Japan is hunting dolphins again × Prime Minister Shinzo Abe belongs to Shimonoseki, a whaling centre. The Japanese prime minister had long campaigned to restart commercial whaling which began last month. Reports said the island nation had resumed hunting minke whales in the coastal areas off Hokkaido on Monday and is likely to reach the "catch quota" by month-end. The Abe government has reportedly set 1,700 dolphins to be killed or captured. The dolphin hunting season usually lasts for six months. The Japanese government has apparently set a catch quota of 53 minke whales in order to prevent over-hunting, however, fishermen could reach the quota in September. Whales are widely consumed in Japan amounting to roughly 40-50 grams per Japanese person a year although just over 300 people are directly linked to hunting. Japan had pulled out of International Whaling Commission in December last year as it decided to resume commercial whaling. Japan has now joined Iceland and Norway in whale hunting in open defiance of other countries who signed up to the International Whaling Commission.

Now, Japan begins dolphin hunt in whaling town of Taiji

Some 20 pilot whales have died stranded in mysterious circumstances on the south-western coast of Iceland, emergency services said Saturday, only two weeks after a similarly unexplained mass stranding had already killed dozens of the long-finned cetaceans.

The dead whales, part of a group of 50 stranded whales, were discovered late Friday near Gardur, some 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the capital Reykjavik.

According to Icelandic media, locals began rescue efforts to save the whales even before emergency teams arrived.

"Around 90 volunteers worked all night to keep the animals wet," David Mar Bjarnason, a spokesman for the Icelandic research and rescue association, told AFP.

By 08H00 GMT the last of the surviving whales were back in deep water.

"We had to wait for high tide to get them back into the sea," Bjarnason said.

Pilot whales are relatively plentiful, with their stock in the Atlantic estimated at between 500,000 and 800,000 animals.

Last month 52 dead stranded whales were spotted on a remote beach in the west of the north Atlantic island nation.

Pilot whales, which belong to the dolphin family and feed primarily on squid, can sometimes get stuck if they follow their prey into shallow coastal waters.

But scientists are mystified as to why such large numbers should get stranded at the same time.

Some theories mention magnetic field interference, while others say that a pod of pilot whales will always follow a single leader -- even if that dominant whale leads them into mortal danger.

Some 20 pilot whales have died stranded in mysterious circumstances on the south-western coast of Iceland, emergency services said Saturday, only two weeks after a similarly unexplained mass stranding had already killed dozens of the long-finned cetaceans.

Some 20 pilot whales have died stranded in mysterious circumstances on the south-western coast of Iceland, emergency services said Saturday, only two weeks after a similarly unexplained mass stranding had already killed dozens of the long-finned cetaceans. The dead whales, part of a group of 50 stranded whales, were discovered late Friday near Gardur, some 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the capital Reykjavik. According to Icelandic media, locals began rescue efforts to save the whales even before emergency teams arrived. "Around 90 volunteers worked all night to keep the animals wet," David Mar Bjarnason, a spokesman for the Icelandic research and rescue association, told AFP. By 08H00 GMT the last of the surviving whales were back in deep water. "We had to wait for high tide to get them back into the sea," Bjarnason said. Pilot whales are relatively plentiful, with their stock in the Atlantic estimated at between 500,000 and 800,000 animals. Last month 52 dead stranded whales were spotted on a remote beach in the west of the north Atlantic island nation. Pilot whales, which belong to the dolphin family and feed primarily on squid, can sometimes get stuck if they follow their prey into shallow coastal waters. But scientists are mystified as to why such large numbers should get stranded at the same time. Some theories mention magnetic field interference, while others say that a pod of pilot whales will always follow a single leader -- even if that dominant whale leads them into mortal danger.

Iceland: At least 20 whales die stranded in mysterious circumstances

People packed the decks of the Japanese whale-watching boat, screaming in joy as a pod of orcas put on a show,&nbsp;splashing tails at each other, rolling over, and leaping out of the water.

In Kushiro, just 160 kilometres south of Rausu, where the four dozen people laughed and cheered, boats were setting off on Japan's first commercial whale hunt in 31 years.

Killed that day were two minke whales, which the boats in Rausu also search for glimpses of - a situation that whale-watching boat captain Masato Hasegawa confessed had him worried.&nbsp;

"They won't come into this area - it's a national park - or there'd be big trouble," the 57-year-old former pollock fisherman said. "And the whales we saw today, the sperm whales and orcas, aren't things they hunt."&nbsp;

"But we also watch minkes," he added. "If they take a lot in the (nearby) Sea of Okhotsk, we could well see a change, and that would be too bad for whale watching."

Whale-watching is a growing business around Japan, with popular spots from the southern Okinawa islands up to Rausu, a fishing village on the island of Hokkaido, so far north that it's closer to Russia than to Tokyo.

The number of whale watchers around <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-decades-japan-resumes-commercial-whaling-amid-protests-231866">Japan</a> has more than doubled between 1998 and 2015, the latest year for which national data is available. One company in Okinawa had 18,000 customers between January and March this year.

In Rausu, 33,451 people packed tour boats last year for whale and bird watching, up 2,000 from 2017 and more than 9,000 higher than 2016. Many stays in local hotels, eat in local restaurants and buy local products such as sea urchins and seaweed.

"Of the tourist boat business, 65 per cent is whale watching," said Ikuyo Wakabayashi, executive director of the Shiretoko Rausu Tourism Association, who says the numbers grow substantially each year.

"You don't just see one type of whale here, you see lots of them," she said. "Whale-watching is a huge tourist resource for Rausu and this will continue, I hope."

Wakabayashi was drawn to Rausu by whale-watching; a native of the western city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-officially-opens-in-japans-osaka-with-trade-tensions-looming-231047">Osaka</a>, she fell in love with the area after three trips there to see orcas.

"I thought this was an incredible place," she said. "Winters are tough, but it's so beautiful."

Hasegawa, who says he has a waiting list of customers in high season, has ordered a second boat.

"Right now, the lifestyle we have is good," Hasegawa said. "Better than it would have been with fishing."

Small Industry

The five whaling vessels moored at Kushiro port on Sunday, the night before the hunt resumed, were well-used and well-maintained. Crew members came and went, carrying groceries or towels, heading for a public bath.

Barely 300 people are directly involved with whaling around Japan, and though the government maintains whale meat is an important part of food culture, the amount consumed annually has fallen to only 0.1 per cent of total meat consumption.

Yet Japan, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - himself from a whaling district - left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and returned to commercial whaling on July 1.

Whaling advocates, such as Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-type Whaling Association, celebrated the hunt.

"We endured for 31 years, but now it's all worth it," he said in Kushiro on Monday night after the first minkes were brought in to be butchered. "They'll be whaling for a week here, we may have more."

Everybody acknowledges that rebuilding demand could be tough after decades of a whale being a pricey, hard-to-find food. Consumption was widespread after World War Two, when an impoverished Japan needed cheap protein, but fell off after the early 1960s as other meat grew cheaper.

"Japan has so much to eat now that food is thrown out, so we don't expect demand for whale will rise that fast," said Kazuo Yamamura, president of the Japan Whaling Association.

"But looking to the future, if you don't eat whale, you forget that it's a food," he said. "If you eat it in school lunches, you'll remember that you'll remember that it's good."

Pro-whaling lawmaker Kiyoshi Ejima said that subsidies were unlikely, but that the government should be careful not to let the industry founder. About 5.1 billion yen ($47.31 million) was budgeted for whaling in 2019.

"If we pull away from our hands too soon, a lot of companies will fail," he added.

The goal of selling whale throughout Japan may be impractical, said Joji Morishita, Japan's former IWC commissioner.

"The alternative ... is to just limit the supply of whale meat to some of the major places in Japan that have a good tradition of whale eating," Morishita said, adding that the meat is difficult to thaw and cook.

In areas for which whaling is a tradition, this niche market could promote tourism, which Abe has made a pillar of his economic plan.

"Whale eating in a sense is ideal - it's different, it's well-known, and for better or worse, it's very famous," Morishita said. "Taking advantage of this IWC withdrawal, I think there are business changes that are viable."

Whales Up Close

For Rausu, on Hokkaido's remote Shiretoko Peninsula, the viable business is whale watching.

Foxes run through the streets of the city's downtown, which clings to a narrow strip of land below mountains and faces the Nemuro Strait. Summer often brings thick fog, while winter storms can leave waist-high drifts.

Though fishing was long Rausu's economic backbone, the industry has taken a hit from declining fish stocks, which locals blame on Russian trawlers and falling prices. The population has dropped by several hundred annually, slipping below 5,000 this year.

Hasegawa, a fourth-generation fisherman, began his tour boat business in 2006. Though the first few years were a struggle, he is now happy with his choice as Rausu's reputation grows globally.

On a recent weekday, customers packed the parking lot at a wharf lined with squid-fishing boats, waiting to board Hasegawa's boat and those of three other companies. Hasegawa's customers came from all over Japan and several foreign countries.

"Today there were more (whale) jumps than usual; it was fantastic," said Kiyoko Ogi, a 47-year-old Tokyo bus driver who's been whale-watching in Rausu three times. "I'm opposed to commercial whaling; seeing whales close is so exciting."

Whale hunting was never big in Rausu, and though Hasegawa said there once was "trouble" with people hunting small Baird's beaked whales nearby, those fishermen now stay far from the tours and will tell him where to find orcas and sperm whales.

But he's dubious about whether demand for whale meat will ever pick up. Restaurants and hotels in Rausu avoid serving it.

"We get a lot of kids in summer vacations. If you tell them on the boat that 'this is the whale we ate last night,' they'd cry," he said.

"If they serve whale, nobody from overseas will come, especially Europeans," he added. "Given that the national government is trying to woo overseas tourists so much, its thinking (on whaling) seems a bit wrong."

People packed the decks of the Japanese whale-watching boat, screaming in joy as a pod of orcas put on a show, splashing tails at each other, rolling over, and leaping out of the water.

People packed the decks of the Japanese whale-watching boat, screaming in joy as a pod of orcas put on a show, splashing tails at each other, rolling over, and leaping out of the water. In Kushiro, just 160 kilometres south of Rausu, where the four dozen people laughed and cheered, boats were setting off on Japan's first commercial whale hunt in 31 years. Killed that day were two minke whales, which the boats in Rausu also search for glimpses of - a situation that whale-watching boat captain Masato Hasegawa confessed had him worried. "They won't come into this area - it's a national park - or there'd be big trouble," the 57-year-old former pollock fisherman said. "And the whales we saw today, the sperm whales and orcas, aren't things they hunt." "But we also watch minkes," he added. "If they take a lot in the (nearby) Sea of Okhotsk, we could well see a change, and that would be too bad for whale watching." Whale-watching is a growing business around Japan, with popular spots from the southern Okinawa islands up to Rausu, a fishing village on the island of Hokkaido, so far north that it's closer to Russia than to Tokyo. The number of whale watchers around Japan has more than doubled between 1998 and 2015, the latest year for which national data is available. One company in Okinawa had 18,000 customers between January and March this year. In Rausu, 33,451 people packed tour boats last year for whale and bird watching, up 2,000 from 2017 and more than 9,000 higher than 2016. Many stays in local hotels, eat in local restaurants and buy local products such as sea urchins and seaweed. "Of the tourist boat business, 65 per cent is whale watching," said Ikuyo Wakabayashi, executive director of the Shiretoko Rausu Tourism Association, who says the numbers grow substantially each year. "You don't just see one type of whale here, you see lots of them," she said. "Whale-watching is a huge tourist resource for Rausu and this will continue, I hope." Wakabayashi was drawn to Rausu by whale-watching; a native of the western city of Osaka, she fell in love with the area after three trips there to see orcas. "I thought this was an incredible place," she said. "Winters are tough, but it's so beautiful." Hasegawa, who says he has a waiting list of customers in high season, has ordered a second boat. "Right now, the lifestyle we have is good," Hasegawa said. "Better than it would have been with fishing." Small Industry The five whaling vessels moored at Kushiro port on Sunday, the night before the hunt resumed, were well-used and well-maintained. Crew members came and went, carrying groceries or towels, heading for a public bath. Barely 300 people are directly involved with whaling around Japan, and though the government maintains whale meat is an important part of food culture, the amount consumed annually has fallen to only 0.1 per cent of total meat consumption. Yet Japan, under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - himself from a whaling district - left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and returned to commercial whaling on July 1. Whaling advocates, such as Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-type Whaling Association, celebrated the hunt. "We endured for 31 years, but now it's all worth it," he said in Kushiro on Monday night after the first minkes were brought in to be butchered. "They'll be whaling for a week here, we may have more." Everybody acknowledges that rebuilding demand could be tough after decades of a whale being a pricey, hard-to-find food. Consumption was widespread after World War Two, when an impoverished Japan needed cheap protein, but fell off after the early 1960s as other meat grew cheaper. "Japan has so much to eat now that food is thrown out, so we don't expect demand for whale will rise that fast," said Kazuo Yamamura, president of the Japan Whaling Association. "But looking to the future, if you don't eat whale, you forget that it's a food," he said. "If you eat it in school lunches, you'll remember that you'll remember that it's good." Pro-whaling lawmaker Kiyoshi Ejima said that subsidies were unlikely, but that the government should be careful not to let the industry founder. About 5.1 billion yen ($47.31 million) was budgeted for whaling in 2019. "If we pull away from our hands too soon, a lot of companies will fail," he added. The goal of selling whale throughout Japan may be impractical, said Joji Morishita, Japan's former IWC commissioner. "The alternative ... is to just limit the supply of whale meat to some of the major places in Japan that have a good tradition of whale eating," Morishita said, adding that the meat is difficult to thaw and cook. In areas for which whaling is a tradition, this niche market could promote tourism, which Abe has made a pillar of his economic plan. "Whale eating in a sense is ideal - it's different, it's well-known, and for better or worse, it's very famous," Morishita said. "Taking advantage of this IWC withdrawal, I think there are business changes that are viable." Whales Up Close For Rausu, on Hokkaido's remote Shiretoko Peninsula, the viable business is whale watching. Foxes run through the streets of the city's downtown, which clings to a narrow strip of land below mountains and faces the Nemuro Strait. Summer often brings thick fog, while winter storms can leave waist-high drifts. Though fishing was long Rausu's economic backbone, the industry has taken a hit from declining fish stocks, which locals blame on Russian trawlers and falling prices. The population has dropped by several hundred annually, slipping below 5,000 this year. Hasegawa, a fourth-generation fisherman, began his tour boat business in 2006. Though the first few years were a struggle, he is now happy with his choice as Rausu's reputation grows globally. On a recent weekday, customers packed the parking lot at a wharf lined with squid-fishing boats, waiting to board Hasegawa's boat and those of three other companies. Hasegawa's customers came from all over Japan and several foreign countries. "Today there were more (whale) jumps than usual; it was fantastic," said Kiyoko Ogi, a 47-year-old Tokyo bus driver who's been whale-watching in Rausu three times. "I'm opposed to commercial whaling; seeing whales close is so exciting." Whale hunting was never big in Rausu, and though Hasegawa said there once was "trouble" with people hunting small Baird's beaked whales nearby, those fishermen now stay far from the tours and will tell him where to find orcas and sperm whales. But he's dubious about whether demand for whale meat will ever pick up. Restaurants and hotels in Rausu avoid serving it. "We get a lot of kids in summer vacations. If you tell them on the boat that 'this is the whale we ate last night,' they'd cry," he said. "If they serve whale, nobody from overseas will come, especially Europeans," he added. "Given that the national government is trying to woo overseas tourists so much, its thinking (on whaling) seems a bit wrong."

In Japan, the business of watching whales overshadows resumption of hunt

Japan Withdraws From The International Whaling Commission & Has Resumed Commercial Whaling, Starting Today (01 July 2019)

Gravitas: Japan resumes commercial Whaling

A small Japanese fleet caught their first whales on Monday in Japan's first commercial hunt in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-decades-japan-resumes-commercial-whaling-amid-protests-231866">more than three decades</a>, a move that has aroused global condemnation and fears for the fate of whales.

Japan has long said few whale species are endangered and announced in December it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting after years of campaigns by industry supporters and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose constituency includes a city that has long whaled.

"If we had more whale available, we'd eat it more," said Sachiko Sakai, a 66-year-old taxi driver in Kushiro, a gritty port city on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, where five whaling ships were waved out of harbour in a brief ceremony early on Monday.

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"It's part of Japan's food culture," said Sakai, adding that she ate a lot of whale as a child. "The world opposes killing whales, but you can say the same thing about many of the animals bred on land and killed for food."

The ships, which are set to be joined by vessels from the southern port of Shimonoseki, will spend much of the summer hunting for minke and Baird's beaked whales.

Crew in orange life vests took positions on the decks as the blue-hulled ships sailed out of Kushiro, some with red banners fluttering from their masts.

By Monday afternoon, one ship returned with a roughly 8 metre-long minke whale. It was winched up from the vessel and taken off to be weighed and butchered.

Another ship caught a whale, but the vessel had not returned by evening and no further details were available.

"This is a great day. I'm really happy with the resumption of commercial whaling," said Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-type Whaling Association.

"We were able to take a splendid whale."

Japan began whaling for scientific research a year after a 1986 ban on commercial whaling, aiming to gather what it called crucial population data, but it abandoned commercial whaling in 1988.

Critics said the programme was simply commercial whaling in disguise, after the meat of animals taken in scientific whaling ended up on store shelves and in restaurants.

This year's quota for commercial whaling, including minkes, sei whales and Bryde's whales, is 227, the Fisheries Agency said. The quota, to be set annually, is less than the 330 whales Japan harvested in the Antarctic until recently.

"We're not at all embarrased by what we do, it's only natural," Kai said, adding that the amount of whales Japan planned to hunt would not pose a threat to their population.

Environmentalists said the launch was delayed until after a summit of leaders of G20 major economies that Japan hosted, but whaling proponents have denied this.

"This is a sad day for whale protection globally," said Nicola Beynon of Humane Society International.

"The word 'research' may have been removed from the side of the factory ship, finally ending Japan's charade of harpooning whales under the guise of science, but these magnificent creatures will still be slaughtered for no legitimate reason," Beynon, based in Australia, said in a statement.

Whaling is a tiny industry in Japan. Whale makes up about 0.1 percent of all meat eaten in a year, with about 300 people directly linked to whaling.

Japan's annual supplies of about 4,000 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes amount to 40 gm to 50 gm for each citizen, or about the weight of half an apple. Even whaling supporters say building demand will take time.

Patrick Ramage, head of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, called the move a face-saving solution that could eventually lead Japan to abandon whaling.

"It's a good decision for whales, it's a good decision for Japan, and it's a good decision for international marine conservation," he said.

A small Japanese fleet caught their first whales on Monday in Japan's first commercial hunt in more than three decades, a move that has aroused global condemnation and fears for the fate of whales.

A small Japanese fleet caught their first whales on Monday in Japan's first commercial hunt in more than three decades, a move that has aroused global condemnation and fears for the fate of whales. Japan has long said few whale species are endangered and announced in December it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting after years of campaigns by industry supporters and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose constituency includes a city that has long whaled. "If we had more whale available, we'd eat it more," said Sachiko Sakai, a 66-year-old taxi driver in Kushiro, a gritty port city on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, where five whaling ships were waved out of harbour in a brief ceremony early on Monday. "It's part of Japan's food culture," said Sakai, adding that she ate a lot of whale as a child. "The world opposes killing whales, but you can say the same thing about many of the animals bred on land and killed for food." The ships, which are set to be joined by vessels from the southern port of Shimonoseki, will spend much of the summer hunting for minke and Baird's beaked whales. Crew in orange life vests took positions on the decks as the blue-hulled ships sailed out of Kushiro, some with red banners fluttering from their masts. By Monday afternoon, one ship returned with a roughly 8 metre-long minke whale. It was winched up from the vessel and taken off to be weighed and butchered. Another ship caught a whale, but the vessel had not returned by evening and no further details were available. "This is a great day. I'm really happy with the resumption of commercial whaling," said Yoshifumi Kai, head of the Japan Small-type Whaling Association. "We were able to take a splendid whale." Japan began whaling for scientific research a year after a 1986 ban on commercial whaling, aiming to gather what it called crucial population data, but it abandoned commercial whaling in 1988. Critics said the programme was simply commercial whaling in disguise, after the meat of animals taken in scientific whaling ended up on store shelves and in restaurants. This year's quota for commercial whaling, including minkes, sei whales and Bryde's whales, is 227, the Fisheries Agency said. The quota, to be set annually, is less than the 330 whales Japan harvested in the Antarctic until recently. "We're not at all embarrased by what we do, it's only natural," Kai said, adding that the amount of whales Japan planned to hunt would not pose a threat to their population. Environmentalists said the launch was delayed until after a summit of leaders of G20 major economies that Japan hosted, but whaling proponents have denied this. "This is a sad day for whale protection globally," said Nicola Beynon of Humane Society International. "The word 'research' may have been removed from the side of the factory ship, finally ending Japan's charade of harpooning whales under the guise of science, but these magnificent creatures will still be slaughtered for no legitimate reason," Beynon, based in Australia, said in a statement. Whaling is a tiny industry in Japan. Whale makes up about 0.1 percent of all meat eaten in a year, with about 300 people directly linked to whaling. Japan's annual supplies of about 4,000 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes amount to 40 gm to 50 gm for each citizen, or about the weight of half an apple. Even whaling supporters say building demand will take time. Patrick Ramage, head of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, called the move a face-saving solution that could eventually lead Japan to abandon whaling. "It's a good decision for whales, it's a good decision for Japan, and it's a good decision for international marine conservation," he said.

First whales caught as Japan resumes commercial hunt after 30 years

Japanese <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beluga-whale-with-russian-harness-raises-alarm-in-norway-214660">whaling ships prepared on</a> Sunday to set to sea, with crews gathering on decks in a northern port a day ahead of Japan's first commercial whaling hunt in more than 30 years.

Japan announced last year it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and would resume commercial whaling on July 1, sparking global condemnation and<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whales-die-after-mass-stranding-in-australia-36896"> fears for the world’s whales</a>.

Japan has long maintained that eating whale is an important part of its culture and that most species are not endangered.

A global whaling moratorium was imposed in 1986, but Japan then began what it called scientific research whaling in the North Pacific and Antarctic. Critics said the it was simply commercial whaling in disguise.

"I used to eat whale when I was young, but it's been too expensive recently,” said Sachiko Sakai, 66, a taxi driver waiting for fares in Kushiro, a port town on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido.

"Maybe now that commercial whaling is going to restart, it’ll be cheaper and we can get our hands on it more easily.”

The hunt will be confined to Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The five small whaling ships due to set off early on Monday were moored at a wharf in a quiet corner of Kushiro port.

On their decks were what appeared to be harpoon guns covered in tarpaulins.&nbsp;The vessels come from whaling ports around Japan, including one from Taiji, the town made notorious for its dolphin drive-hunts featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove”.

Some vessels were decorated with good luck flags, flapping in a cold wind.

Some crew members carried groceries while others held towels and shampoo, apparently headed to a public bath. One wore brightly coloured shorts decorated with images of whales and other animals.

All declined to talk.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose district includes the old whaling centre of Shimonoseki, has long campaigned to restart commercial whaling, but the industry’s future is far from clear.

Only about 300 people around Japan are directly connected to whaling, and the annual supply of whale – about 5,000 tonnes – amounts to roughly 40-50 grams per Japanese person a year.

"To resume this so we can eat it – well, that’s good,” said Yuya Kusakari, 37, who was fishing for flounder with his 8-year-old son not far from where the whaling ships were docked.

Kusakari said he ate whale maybe once or twice a year.

"It’s really not all that available now, and it’s expensive,” he said.

Japanese whaling ships prepared on Sunday to set to sea, with crews gathering on decks in a northern port a day ahead of Japan's first commercial whaling hunt in more than 30 years.

Japanese whaling ships prepared on Sunday to set to sea, with crews gathering on decks in a northern port a day ahead of Japan's first commercial whaling hunt in more than 30 years. Japan announced last year it was leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and would resume commercial whaling on July 1, sparking global condemnation and fears for the world’s whales. Japan has long maintained that eating whale is an important part of its culture and that most species are not endangered. A global whaling moratorium was imposed in 1986, but Japan then began what it called scientific research whaling in the North Pacific and Antarctic. Critics said the it was simply commercial whaling in disguise. "I used to eat whale when I was young, but it's been too expensive recently,” said Sachiko Sakai, 66, a taxi driver waiting for fares in Kushiro, a port town on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido. "Maybe now that commercial whaling is going to restart, it’ll be cheaper and we can get our hands on it more easily.” The hunt will be confined to Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The five small whaling ships due to set off early on Monday were moored at a wharf in a quiet corner of Kushiro port. On their decks were what appeared to be harpoon guns covered in tarpaulins. The vessels come from whaling ports around Japan, including one from Taiji, the town made notorious for its dolphin drive-hunts featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “The Cove”. Some vessels were decorated with good luck flags, flapping in a cold wind. Some crew members carried groceries while others held towels and shampoo, apparently headed to a public bath. One wore brightly coloured shorts decorated with images of whales and other animals. All declined to talk. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose district includes the old whaling centre of Shimonoseki, has long campaigned to restart commercial whaling, but the industry’s future is far from clear. Only about 300 people around Japan are directly connected to whaling, and the annual supply of whale – about 5,000 tonnes – amounts to roughly 40-50 grams per Japanese person a year. "To resume this so we can eat it – well, that’s good,” said Yuya Kusakari, 37, who was fishing for flounder with his 8-year-old son not far from where the whaling ships were docked. Kusakari said he ate whale maybe once or twice a year. "It’s really not all that available now, and it’s expensive,” he said.

After decades, Japan resumes commercial whaling amid protests

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