Category: Wildlife Habitat: Ocean & Sea Conservation

1. Touch down for two Beluga Whales, freed from captivity!

   Posted on 8:00pm Monday 12th Oct 2020

   This blog was first published on 20 June 2019 but with John Bishop's Great Whale Rescue programme which goes out on Monday 10 October 2020 on ITV at 9pm, I thought I'd republish it! Hot on the news that the Greeks have created the world’s first dolphin sanctuary, two Beluga Whales from an aquarium in Shanghai have just arrived in Iceland 6,000 miles away to go to a whale sanctuary there. The whales – Little Grey & Little White – are 12 years old.  They’ve been in captivity since they were about 2 years old and performed in font of crowds as “entertainment”.  The British Firm that runs the aquarium – Merlin Entertainment – bought the Changfeng Ocean World Zoo in 2012.  And it started to look for a home for Little Grey & Little White. Head of the British Conservation Charity, Sea Life Trust, explained that preparations have been on-going for about 18 months to prepare the whales for their journey. They travelled by plane on a Cargolux freighter to Iceland, then, truck and a ferry from the mainland to the island where they will live.  Teams monoitored the whales to ensure they were safe and comfortable during the flight.  A Cargolux engineer and a team of global veterinary experts with experience in transporting marine mammals were also on board to check on the whales’ welfare. Their new home is the world’s first open water Beluga sanctuary – it will provide a more natural sub-Arctic environment for them, with wilder habitat.  The bay will be protected to protect the two female whites as it is thought they won’t survive on their own in the wild.  The Sanctuary is in a natural and beautiful sea inlet, in Klettsvik Bay.  There’s a landside care facility, and a visitor centre minutes away – so you can visit! The sanctuary was created in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation.  It’s run by the SEA LIFE Trust with a donation from Merlin Entertainments.    Scientists are going to study Little Grey & Little White to see how they adapt to their new natural home.  And depending on how they get on, the sanctuary could become home to other Belugas as well. Find out more about the two Beluga Whales here Good luck in your new home, Little Grey & Little White and a big thank you to Cargolux Airlines for your help and role in moving Little Grey & Little White to sanctuary.   And if you're in the UK, why not check out The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates grey seals pup from around the Cornish Coastline.

    

2. Protecting marine sanctuaries on the island of Siquijor in the Philippines

   Posted on 5:00pm Saturday 3rd Oct 2020

   There are some amazing people doing great things for nature and conservation.   On the island of Siquijor in the central Philippines, Women have got together to protect marine sanctuaries from poachers and illegal fishers, even though they only have paddles and kayaks.   They are prepared to risk their lives to protect there are. The waters are full of rich coral reefs and fish diversity – but they are being impacted by both illegal fishing which has impacted on the coral reefs and reduced fish diversity and its abundance, and climate change. This video tells the story of the women.  One woman has been shot at – but she is determined and her efforts resulted in the arrest of the person shooting at her. Watch and be inspired… The video was supported with a grant from the Earth Journalism Network. Source:  Mongabay.com

    

3. It's Arctic Sea Ice Day with Polar Bears International

   Posted on 3:10pm Wednesday 15th Jul 2020

   Find out more about Arctic Sea Ice Day with Polar Bears International ©Polar Bears International The 15th July is Arctic Sea Ice Day. Polar Bears International want to draw attention to the critical role that the Arctic and its ice plays in our climate, not just for polar bears but for us. The problem is that the sea ice – which acts as an air conditioner, cooling the planet – is melting.  So Arctic Sea Ice Day is a chance to find out more and why this matters. Learn about the State of the Arctic in 2020—another year of extremes Take a quick dive into this icy world and learn 9 Facts About Arctic Sea Ice  Follow Polar Bears International on Instagram for a series of sea ice posts and stories Visit their Arctic Sea Ice Day page to learn how you can make a difference: pledge to vote with the climate in mind and push for a shift to renewables  Donate or adopt to support our effort Plus you can join in: Celebrating Sea Ice Day July 15th at 11 a.m. Central Time Join experts on sea ice and polar bears to learn all about the Arctic ecosystem, the current state of Arctic sea ice, and why it is important for polar bears and people around the world.  Why Beluga Whales Need Sea Ice  July 15th at 4 p.m. Central Time Why would a whale, a mammal that needs access to the surface of the ocean to breathe, live where the ocean is covered in sea ice most of the year? Learn about why belugas need sea ice and join us to celebrate the launch of the Beluga Cam

    

4. Save our Seagrass - Rapanui steps in to help and you can too!

   Posted on 8:00pm Friday 12th Jun 2020

   Rapanui have an unusual offer this weekend! Their Buy One, Get One Tree offer has a twist – an under-the-sea twist.   They’ve teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society to help protect seagrass. This underwater grass is crucial in the fight against climate change. Why?  Well, seagrass absorbs 10% of the ocean’s carbon every year. In fact, estimates are that seagrass can capture as much carbon per hectares as trees in UK woodlands.  And seagrass is vital for marine life. Find out more about seagrass and why it matters here Unfortunately, 35% of seagrasses worldwide have been lost or damaged over the last 40 years – so Rapanui want to help the Marine Conservation Society do something about it. This weekend (until midnight Sunday 14 June 2020), every order on the Rapa store will help the Marine Conservation Society protect 5 square feet of this wonder-plant in the UK's seas! Visit Rapanui here – they have a wonderful range of t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, bundles, shirts and more! Visit the Marine Conservation Society here and donate directly to their seagrass appeal

    

5. World Oceans Day is on 8th June

   Posted on 9:00pm Monday 1st Jun 2020

   Help #WorldOceansDay grow the movement to protect our blue planet, using #ProtectOurHome The 2020 Focus – or theme – is all about uniting conservation action to grow a global movement calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030.   This essential need is called 30x30.  If we can safeguard at least 30% of our ocean through a network of well protected areas, then we can ensure a healthy home for everyone! Two things you can do: First, sign the petition calling on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. Today, only 15% of land and 7% of our ocean are protected – and the aim is to protect 17% of land and 10% of ocean by the end of 2020.     Many of our world leaders however need a really good kick up the backside if these are to increase.  They don’t quite seem to understand that the natural world provides critical resources which sustain life on earth.   We need clean air to breathe.   We need clean water to drink.  We need  good food to eat.  We need medicines.  We need the resources the natural world provides.  Animals need it too. So let’s give them a good kick up the backside and campaign for nature:   Sign the petition here Secondly, take a good look around the World Oceans Day website and see what is happening.  There are resources you can download and use to spread the word.  Some of these are for specific marine species such as sharks, rays, seals, hammerheads, turtles, dolphins and penguins.  Others are for areas such as corals.  And they come in different languages, too. Speak up for nature - there are resources you can download from the World Ocean Day 2020 website There’s a guide you can download on how to use social media – it’s a PDF – plus banners and posters. Find out more ways to act for our oceans here #Togetherwecan #ProtectourHome