Stranded whales die amid rescue efforts

More than 60 whales are dead and 17 remain stranded after beaching themselves on Western Australia's southwest coast.

More than 100 volunteers were desperately trying to keep the animals in a group because if they were sent into the ocean on their own, they could return to beach themselves after hearing the distress calls of other whales.

Mass strandings of long-finned pilot whales on Australian coasts have occurred on average once a year since 1970.

Earlier this month, on King Island, northwest of Tasmania, more than 140 pilot whales died after nearly 200 beached themselves on the coast.

A DEC spokeswoman said what caused the animals to strand themselves was a mystery that would be investigated.

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Photo credit: Steve Mitchell, AP

Think of the children

Have a whale of a time in the tub!

MOBY is a spout cover that brightens up the bath while keeping baby’s head safe from bumps. Its sleek design includes an adjustable fin strap that fits snugly on most tub spouts, and a tail that’s also a handy hook, so MOBY can hang around when bath time’s done.

$13.00 at Skip Hop

The quest to ave Right whales

At least 32 new right whale calves -- more than ever recorded -- have been observed this season off the coasts of Georgia and Florida, where the whales migrate to give birth between late November and March. Only about 400 members of the species exist, and the massive mammal is thought to be the most endangered of all the large whales.

Each birth is seen as a miracle of sorts -- a potential key to the survival of a species that has been through many tough years.

Right whales were named by their hunters who once said they were the "right whale" to kill. When they were harpooned, the chubby whales floated to the surface of the water. That made them both profitable and easy to hunt.

Every morning during calving season, volunteers armed with binoculars and whale-related handouts troll up and down the Florida coast -- climbing to balconies and zipping up elevators to the top floors of high-rise condos and retirement communities -- to look for whales.

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Hello, beautiful!

Meet Inuk, upclose and personal.

Inuk is the Mystic Aquarium's male Beluga whale. He is an amazing creature who shows a great deal of curiosity and intelligence. When the crowds are thin at the Aquarium and there are only a few people in front of the glass he will sometimes stay and watch those people closely. Especially children who are more calm.

Some people ask if whales have ears at the aquarium...here you can see the small opening behind the eye, that's Inuk's ear.

Status: Vulnerable, growing risk; mostly from pollution of native waters but also hunting.

IUCN Redlist: Vulnerable
Cook Inlet Alaska Population: Critically Endangered.

CITES: Appendix 2

Photo & text: eclectic echoes

(via benhästen)