Video of Endangered Beluga Whales Playing
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 10.22.08
Belugas Having Fun, Unlike in Alaska
We recently wrote about the addition of beluga whales to the endangered species list in Alaska. A very sad state of affairs indeed, but on the lighter side - and to remind us of how intelligent these sea mammals are - here's a video of them playing. Make sure to watch the awesome bubble-circles they are 'blowing' at around the 1 minute mark. Via GreenDaily
See also: Isabella Rossellini to Make New Green Porno Films on the Sex Life of Marine Animals, Earth From Above: Amazing Photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and CSI Wildlife Part Two: 2 Eco-Crimes Unmasked by DNA Forensics
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Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Focus on Focus Earth: Saving the Whales (Video)
- Focus Earth: June 27, 2009: The Roots of Eco-Terrorism and Saving the Whales
- Shocking Report Reveals Marine Litter Madness (Plus 10 Easy Ways to Help Save Our Oceans!)
- Green Glossary: Gasoline Rainbow
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Not to harsh your post, but.......
Whales are mammals, I'll grant you that.
But 'playing'??
The anthropomorphic description of animals is unscientific and I frankly believe it demeans real humans - humans that may need help, suffer and in some cases die from lack of food, resources or medicine.
I'm not so much against Save the Whales, as for Save the Humans......
(For those in Rio Linda
Adjective
ascribing human form or attributes to a being or thing not human, esp. to a deity.
resembling or made to resemble a human form: an anthropomorphic carving.)
"Whales are mammals, I'll grant you that.
But 'playing'??
The anthropomorphic description of animals is unscientific and I frankly believe it demeans real humans - humans that may need help, suffer and in some cases die from lack of food, resources or medicine."
You are the unscientific one, here. Anyone who knows anything about social animals, especially mammals, know that they really do play (for fun, to learn skills, and to maintain relationships).
I agree with Don,
Anonymous is totally wrong; it's just common sense. What are these whales accomplishing by blowing bubble rings and twirling in circles? It's obviously just social interaction, or play.
Apart from that, I'm all for saving the humans. But I don't see how it is necessarily more important to save humans than whales. If all of the whales on this planet die, then humans won't be far behind.
We should save the humans AND the whales. In fact, in the long run you save both or you save neither.
"The anthropomorphic description of animals is unscientific..."
Try telling that to Jane Goodall... She was initially dismissed in such high-handed fashion but she has shown the world that it is human arrogance that presumes that only Homo sapiens are capable of emotion, fun and so on. The concept of “anthropomorphism" should be understood as nothing more than an extension of racism and defence of human domination over nature.
Whether it is right to keep whales in captivity is another issue. At least, however, they are not swimming in a toxic stew of effluent.
I'm more concerned whether this video actually shows the whales having fun. It seems they are being used for exhibition more than just free play.