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Will You Be Watching Whale Wars Tonight?

PetSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:00:26 -0800

We all know that Hayden Panettiere wants to save the whales, but she's not the only one! Founded in 1977, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been protecting the seas at the bottom of the Earth against Japanese whalers, and over the Winter season of 2007 to 2008, Animal Planet tagged along to document their journey.

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In a seven-part series beginning tonight, we get a closeup look at how far the Sea Shepherds will go to protect the whales of the Antarctic. Not only are they intent on saving ocean dwellers, but they are also committed to protecting all wildlife, including seals that are hunted every year in Canada. Check out the clip above, and tell me: Will you be watching Whale Wars?

Creature Features: Beluga Whales

PetSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:30:24 -0700

I just couldn't get that song out of my head so I dove right into a bunch of wild whale facts! Do you know anything about those baby Belugas (and adult ones too)? Test yourself when you take my quiz!

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Super-Cute Video: Baby Belugas Blowing Bubbles

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:15:04 -0700

Sing it with me: Baaaa-by Be-luuuuga. Am the only one getting flashbacks to childhood whenever I see pictures of Beluga Whales? Anyway, the endangered mammals are best recognized by their distinctive white color and large foreheads (forget "fivehead" . . . more like twenty-fivehead). Prominent noggins or not, they are pretty cute . . . especially when blowing bubbles. Check it out in the video below!

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Creature Features: Animals in Antarctica

PetSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:30:29 -0700

When I heard that a chunk of Antarctic ice about seven times the size of Manhattan suddenly collapsed, I couldn't help but wonder about the animals. I know many creatures call this region home . . . but what do you know about them?

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Hayden Made It to Obama After All!

PetSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:30:18 -0800

I know I'm not the only one that was curious to follow what happened after we saw Hayden's Save the Whales Again! rally at Dupont Circle and her attempt to talk with Barack Obama at American University so when PetSugar reader, zoorph, sent me this pic, I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you! Lucky gal, she happens to be a graduate student at that school attending the event backstage – kudos for this great case of right-place-right-time and quick snapping! Regardless of whether face time between the senator and the starlet will help Hayden's cause (or his presidential campaign), this 18-year-old sets a good example of tenacity, activism, and an interest in politics for those other young voters out there!

The Scoop: Hayden Wants to Save the Whales Again!

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:34 -0800

Hayden Panettiere got fired up about whales in a rally at Washington, DC's Dupont Circle over the weekend. Coming a few months after the Heroes actress failed a dolphin rescue mission, Hayden has joined forces with Save the Whales Again! to continue to protest the slaughtering of whales in Japan and elsewhere. This campaign is part of the Animal Welfare Institute (founder of the original Save the Whales movement) and the Whaleman Foundation, an oceanic research, conservation, and production organization dedicated to preserving and protecting dolphins, whales, and their ocean habitat.

In addition to handing out fliers and speaking at length about the subject, she is calling for a boycott of goods from Japan, Iceland, and Norway and is scheduled to visit the embassies of those countries plus attend a news conference with the US House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources this week. When asked about her participation in these efforts, Hayden said:

I get that rush and feeling of really making a difference rather than just lending my face to something. I'd rather people pay attention to me doing this than shopping at Fred Segal. We're saving magnificent animals. I don't think anyone objects to that. I don't trust people who don't love animals.

Agreed. At just 18-years-old, her maturity on these issues is impressive and I hope she continues to speak up for what she believes in and that her fame can inspire others to get on board with the preservation movement as well. Good work, Hayden, on your real-life heroism!

Check out a gallery of the rally when you

To the Rescue: Choosing a Whale Watching Tour

PetSugar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:00:00 -0800

We wrapped up our travels in Hawaii with aquatic life, and I stumbled upon some great tips for choosing a whale-watching tour no matter where you are. First and foremost, please remember you are getting the lucky opportunity to spot these creatures in their natural environment and you should never do anything to put them in jeopardy. Before making the pick, ask yourself if the tour operators are putting the animal first and not making any promises (i.e., money-back guarantee) that could cause them to take unnecessary risks. In addition to doing your research (and asking for recommendations), consider the following questions:

Why are they doing this? Check the training of the crew members – you're there to learn and it's important to know about their training, study, research participation, and length of experience observing whales before you set sail.
How much time do they dedicate? You'll want to book a trip that brings the whale watching front and center. It's a good sign when the company actually works in whale research year-round and makes that the primary focus of their business – and not just making it a seasonal alternative to a diving or cruise business.

See a couple more when you

Is That Mr. Splashy Pants?

PetSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:00:29 -0800

If you've ever wanted the chance to name a wild animal, your time has come! Greenpeace is sponsoring a whale naming competition for the humpbacks traveling on the Great Whale Trail. The contest started with over 11,000 submissions but has been whittled down to 30 possible suggested names including, as you probably guessed, Mr. Splashy Pants.

Now, this is where you come in. Pick your top fave from choices like Talei (meaning 'special or rare' in Fijian), Veikko (meaning 'brother or a good friend' in Finnish), and other equally interesting and melodic names. You can only vote once but spread the word – the deadline is Dec. 7.

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