Sea Shepherd Conservation Society quartermaster Shannon Mann
For many of us who love animals, "Save the Whales" were probably the first words we ever learned that showed us protecting other creatures could be a collective and even political effort.But as we got older and started taking action close to home and saving the dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, etc. -- and as laws such as the Endangered Species Act were passed and society in general became more aware of ecological and animal-welfare concerns -- well, we probably figured the whales were okay.
Well, guess what? They're not.
The Japanese are still hunting whales by the thousands, under the banner of research (i.e. using a legal loophole -- you can learn more about the controversial practice here).
Petfinder's sister company, Animal Planet, has been documenting the efforts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a fearless group of activists who quite literally put themselves between the harpoons and the whales in order to save these giant, gentle creatures.
It's incredibly intense, and got me thinking about how far I would go
to save an animal. I've certainly made many sacrifices -- but would I
risk death? In the upcoming episode of Whale Wars, on tonight at 9 EST, two Sea Shepherds volunteer to board the whaling ship, where they're promptly taken hostage.
Want to fight whaling a little more safely? Find out how to write to the governments of pro-whaling nations such as Japan, Norway and Iceland.
Want to fight whaling a little more safely? Find out how to write to the governments of pro-whaling nations such as Japan, Norway and Iceland.
Listen bashers - the group effort it takes to kill those whales is about as cruel and wrong as the aerial hunting of wolves.
PSHAW: LET them go out with their spears, and kill fish for their family, around their home, as they have through centuries. This is something I would not tamper with - this is to feed your family, and I dare say there are many of us that feel the same.
BUT -> the government corralling whales - driving species extinct- and making a profit off the meat - is WRONG.
The Japanese need to put ALL THAT MONEY into establishing their own fisheries, in their own country - and STOP RAPING THE OCEAN.
i believe in saving the whales, but the captin, the first mate and the one guy who just left are borderline psychopathic and act like overlord dictators. I mean only a lunatic would take a ship that is not able to deal with ice to the artic and through ice fields. in which puts the ship at high risk of a hull breach and thus puts everyones life in dangerthey in no way honor steve irwin. I do not believe the japanese are doing research. The sell the meat of the whales they kill and being allowed to do full scale whaling would mean major bucks for them.
i love the whales. i gladly ditch any plans i have to glue myself to the tv to watch this documentary. I love how people are really taking a stand in what they believe in. I hope that one day i can join you in your voyage to end whaling forever. POWER TO THE WHALES!!!!
I would love to jump right into your ship and place my life on the line for the whales. I Would gladly hop onto any of the japanese ship and put my life on the line for the current worlds largest animal. Whales to me are beautiful. I actually cried when i saw the add for the 2nd season where we actually saw whales getting harpooned. I couldnt sleep right for days i really wish i could Join you. For a few reasons i cannot. Im currently on some medication and it puts me on a real sleep level like from 12 till 18 AM and its medication i need for some personal issues. But if that was not an issue id jump right on board and do whatever the Captain wanted. I get sick when i see animals abused and whaling. Just makes me cry. The captain of the Steve Erwin is my life hero. He my role model. I 100% support what you are doing and if it was up too me and i had the money id have more than one ship to harass them. To me its sickening. i cry, i throw up. And oddly i DO NOT GET SEA SICK!
You really are a the guardian angels of the whales
How can you get those bombs that make the deck stink and slippery for a normal every day person or do you have to buy them somewere special? by the way i love what you do to save the whales on a daily thing and i wish japenese wern't so mean and my parents think there all jerks and whales are gental creatures I hope to hear from you
I do commend the group on trying to stop whaling but in my opinion they are going about it all wrong. I only saw two episodes about where they had two crew members captured by a Japanese whaling ship. They boarded the whaling ship without permission and then were held by the Japanese as if they were criminals trespassing on their ship, like any reasonable person would. The Capetian of the Irwin says they are being held hostage & were almost thrown overboard by the Japanese which in the video I saw was an out and out lie. If you board another person's ship you are a criminal despite why you are there. Second they throw acid at the whalers which is nuts. Doesn't the acid pollute the water & maybe eventually contaminate the whales food source??
Then when they go on their night mission they looked like a bunch of armatures that have no concept of safety. They will eventually get some one killed or seriously hurt.
If as they claim the whaling is illegal why is there not a law enforcement type agency chasing down the whaling ships? If they say no funds, why can't these volunteers get proper training and maybe they can legally go after the whalers & get them in court or jail instead of using terrorist type tactics & damaging a ship & maybe hurting or killing a whaler on the ship or one of their own crew members ? This is what happens when radicals believe in something they try & take the law into their own hands & then blame the person they are harassing for a negative response. I hope the media sees how these groups manipulate them to promote their cause & twist the facts to make a provoked response by the whalers sound like an attack instead of self-defense. I am by no means pro-whaler but believe in doing things within the law and properly.
You have to respect Japanese culture and allow them to kill some whales. They've been doing it for centuries, and it's merely western cultural imperialism to demand that they change. Furthermore I don't think that you are considering the feelings and motivations of the Japanese.
Oh wait you hippy dippy types only pull out that sort of multicultural claptrap when you don't agree with the western point of view. Get a grip.