International Whale’s Day - February 19th

On February 19th the International Whale’s Day has been marked since the International Whaling Commission proclaimed a ban on whaling in 1986. For many decades of the 20 th century whale fishers have been hunting these marine giants for meat, whale bones, whale blubbers or bone flour. Eventually,the number of whale individuals significantly declined and many species found themselves on the verge of extinction. As an example, blue whales might be provided. Recent estimations of their population cannot find a common dominator; some claim that there up to 2 thousand blue whales in the World Ocean, others point out 15 thousand whales distributed over Northern and Southern hemispheres. In particular, blue whales are considered the crown jewel of the Atlantic Ocean, especially northern areas.

Blue whales are recognized as the biggest mammals on the Earth. The average weight is nearly 100-120 tones, which corresponds to a value of 40 African elephants. To support normal living a whale should consume 1 million calories per day that is usually comprised of krill (1 tone). Speaking of meal culture, it is impossible not to mention its peaceful nature, as far as blue whales are typical planktotrophics, which makes the situation with their extinction more sorrowful and distressing.

The other peculiar feature worth underlining is a specific way of communication between individuals. It is associated with whale songs, which are recognized by individuals on the distance of 1600 km. They are often observed during reproduction period, underlining the connection to family functions of mammals. This fact has alerted an attention of scientists and zoologists, dealing with gathering some facts about blue whales.

To be more précised, scientific interest is one out of two issues, which allow whales’ hunting. The other one is necessities of indigenous people in whale hunting. As a source of food it is not forbidden for the indigenous peoples of Alaska, the Far Eastern regions of Russia and Greenland, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Meat was the prime purpose of animals’ population decline; in particular, an adult blue whale individual can give about 40 tons of meat. The statistics concludes that during the 20 the century the number of whales decreased in 100 times.

However, hunting is not the only reason of blue whales disappearance. In this context, clashes with seacrafts are getting more and more serious. The average number of whale deaths from marine vessels is 1,2 accidents per year, but there are also true record years; for example, in 2007 4 fatal encounters occurred in the Pacific Ocean. Gulf of Saint Lawrence is also a region, where blue whales get lots of
injuries. According to marine observations the number of whales suffering from scars and wounds reaches 9-25%. The other negative effect sea vessels perform is a disturbance of echolocation abilities of whales. Voice signals are often silenced, which makes the communication and shoals’ formation almost impossible. It also influences on blue whales’ number within waters of the World Ocean.

Guest Post by Maria Kruk, an author for Species.com

Against Animal Cruelty

Animals cannot speak for themselves; It is us - humans who need to voice for them. It is hence we are here to speak for them, and we expect you too will do so to raise your voice against cruelty to animals. You cannot expect your society to get really humane until it becomes a social responsibility to care for animals. It is important to familiarize yourself with the state's legal things related to animal abuse. However, it is equally important to recognize the signs of abusive behavior towards animals. But it is more than important to realize that this planet is for all - from the most intelligent human beings to a caterpillar.


The signs of cruelty towards animals have been going unnoticeable to many of us. While direct attack or killing of domesticated and street animals and animals in the wild are doubtless signs of animal abuse and cruelty, being negligent and irresponsible towards animals at home or outside is also reported as alleged animal cruelty. All animals deserve kindness and a loving touch. If your child is not mistreated and starved, Rover should not be trained to fight, bashed, euthanized or just neglected for dead. It is a keen request from us not to use animals as bait or for gambling on. It's not a humane act to set a rat on fire or skin a tortoise alive or hit a snake to death. Let our animals breath as long as the nature allows them.


Killing or abusing animals signifies emotional disorder or personality flaw in specific humans that indicates a sign of deep mental disturbance. studies in the fields of psychology and criminology have shown that people committing to the inhumane acts of abusing animals or killing them do not stop there; many of them have exhibited the tendencies of murdering humans. Researches have shown that kids with violent behavior towards pets or small animals intruding their yards usually develop violent psychopathological problems that do not remain confined to animals only. Eventually they start showing abusive tendencies to the fellow classmates and friends, which in turn takes a bigger shape and end up with showing abusive behavior towards humans. According to humanitarian Albert Schweitzer, "anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives". Robert K. Resler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated, "murderers...very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids". studies have shown that animal cruelty indicates offenders' tendencies towards social violence. Governments of all countries should take immediate action to stop killing animals just for fun - for example Gruesome Act of Mass Killing of Dolphins in Denmark. Serious dolphin hunts in Japan is again another example of inhumane act of animal cruelty. Mass killing of badgers in the UK, Killing of over 800 wars dogs by British Government, Killing dogs to learn how to kill by Peruvian Army are a few examples of the planet's worst inhuman acts ever. If we cannot make justice to animals, we cannot make justice to our own race.


The planet is not only a home for us humans; this is a place for all including animals, birds and plants! The oxygen is free for both humans and animals. Each of them including human beings need loving home and all kinds of nourishment to keep happy and content. Amidst all these negations and denials, The Humane Society of the United States is working with the public on individual animal cruelty cases. They are offering rewards to citizens for giving information on any kind of cruelty to animals and animal fighting resulting conviction. The legal departments of every country should consider cruelty to animals seriously.