Dolphin Newsletter
Hi there to all you dolphin lovers!
The Cove Movie
A must see ground breaking film exposing the inhumane and illegal slaughter of wild dolphins in Japan. The film has had a huge impact in stopping this and is a ground breaking approach to raising awareness and is also a brilliant, very gripping Bond style thriller. Although the subject matter is shocking, this film shows how we can make a difference.
The Cove movie has made the final list of 5 documentaries to win an Oscar Academy Award as Best Documentary on March 7th 2010. We salute Louie Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society for their incredible support for dolphins and their artistic achievement on this brilliant film. We think this will win the oscar!! It certainly deserves to.
www.thecovemovie.com
The Cove movie Available now on Amazon.co.uk and amazon.com
http://www.savejapandolphins.org/ Watch the movie trailer and what you can do
buy the movie – https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=59a67b
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/12/in-praise-of-the-cove
A Killer Whale called Luna BBC TV
Soon to be shown on BBC Natural World ( possibly end of February ) Look out for this beautiful and sensitivly made film from Canada. This is the emotional story of a young killer whale’s quest for companionship after he was separated from his family. Luna was just two years old when, alone and confused, he found himself on the rugged, wild coast of Vancouver Island.
Following his tumultuous life, the film records the human friendships he developed and the trouble this led him into. From death threats, to numerous capture attempts by the government, the film-makers watched as people tried to determine his fate.
Luna shows us how deep bonds can develop in relationships between humans and cetaceans
View the trailer : http://www.mountainsidefilms.com/savingluna/
Check the BBC for broadcast details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00q2s16
Moko the dolphin
People in New Zealand have been amazed at the arrival of a very playful bottlenose dolphin called “moko” who has been coming close to the beach nr Gisborne to interact with swimmers, playing with ther balls and bodyboards
See for more info
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWj0-R8Yyhg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE2sD3Y7-PM&NR=1
White dolphin spotted in the Azores
Pico, Azores : On 17th Sept 09 Pedro Madruga met a large group of spotted dolphins, more than 200 individuals, south of Pico. He described the group as “very interactive” and probably a new group as he wasn’t able to identify any of the individuals and because the behaviour of the dolphins was very “naive”…for sure they had never met any homo sapiens turistus disturbis before !!!!
Until this point , it was nothing more than a very good encounter to be shared between sea (observed) and land (observer) mammal ! But suddenly a small white shadow appeared to the left of the boat…. from the shadow surfaced a white dolphin.
Greetings from sunny Pico, and thanks to Pedro for the photos.
Dolphin communication Research
Check out some ultra calm underwater behaviour featuring the dolphin communication work of Denise Herzing
http://www.explore.org/videos/player/zen-den-wild-dolphins Denise Herzing research project www.wilddolphinproject.org
http://www.explore.org/videos/player/bahamas-guardians-of-the-sea-wild-dolphins
Starlings form the shape of a whale in the skies
This awesome airborne Moby Dick is not fictional but a work of nature – comprised of countless starlings moving in formation in the winter breeze.
For rest of story see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1232385/Stunning-natural-display-thousands-starlings-form-shape-whale.html
By Daily Mail Reporter, 2nd December 2009 Spectacular sight: In a natural display of formation flying, thousands of starlings took the shape of a whale soaring through the skies over Gretna Green, Scottish Borders
Scientists say dolphins should be treated as ‘non-human persons’
The Times Jan 3rd 2010-01-25
By Jonathan Leake
Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”.Studies into dolphin behaviour have highlighted how similar their communications are to those of humans and that they are brighter than chimpanzees. These have been backed up by anatomical research showing that dolphin brains have many key features associated with high intelligence.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/article6973994.ece
Campaigns and raising awareness -
Here are some links with other conservation projects.
You may like to get some of the latest information on conservation initiatives and see what you can do.
IDW www.idw.org/
The Marine Connection
www.marineconnection.org
WDCS www.wdcs.org/
Whale of a time www.whaleofatime.org
Species Alliance- Very important and inspirational organisation working to prevent species extinction: www.speciesalliance.org/video.php
Also see our Responsible Travel section on the web site www.dolphinswims.co.uk
