Killing whales for fat: why do that, when they could just have my extra fat if they asked?

Maybe you’ve read about this story already, as it’s a couple of days old, but I was pretty disgusted by it.  Hunters in Alaska killed a bowhead whale, and while they were dismembering it with a chainsaw, they found a piece of embedded metal.  Upon further examination, it was discovered that the metal was a fragment of a bow lance, a harpoon-like tool used to kill whales in the 1800s.  The evidence suggests that the whale was originally shot at over 100 years ago, but survived and went on to live a long and healthy life, until it killed by a similar tool in Alaska a couple of weeks ago.

What an amazing life this whale must have led.  Scientists have estimated that the whale was about 130 years old, and that he was probably originally hunted off the coast of Massachusetts.  After identifying that as a bad neighbourhood, the whale eventually travelled up to the Beaufort Sea, which is where he was ultimately killed.  I don’t know much about bowhead whales, but I’m impressed by this incredible longevity, and the ability to survive in such a variety of waters and climates.  How many offspring and family members did this whale have?  Did he still keep in touch with his Mom and Dad?  Bowheads have been known to live up to 200 years, so he still had a lot of living to do.  Instead, he’ll now be living it up in canning jars, as people dine on his blubber, and use his oil for other purposes.

I do respect the right of native peoples to hunt to maintain their lifestyles and traditions, but it still saddens me.  Whales are such magnificent animals, and the bowhead is actually endangered, numbering around 8000 or so.  Like all whales, they can communicate and have social relationships.  I can’t imagine killing anything with such a complex life, and know that they’re endangered not because of native traditions, but because of greed.  Anyway, that’s all from my soapbox right now… I just wanted to share the story, especially timely after the International Whaling Commission and CITES meetings.  And seriously… if some kind soul wants to pay for my liposuction to harvest my own special “blubber” and use it for candles or whatever, I’m totally okay with that.

Posted by Leigh-Ann on 06/16 at 03:37 AM

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

  1. What a saaaad but interesting story Leigh-Ann.  Now I want to know more about bowhead whales.  Thank you for that post. Oh, they can have some of my fat too -

    Ilona

    Posted by ilona  on  06/16  at  07:33 AM

  2. Where do I sign up for them to take my fat? I’m a good source to harvest- I am sure it’s more than 50 pounds.

    Posted by Georg  on  06/16  at  08:18 AM

  3. That is a very sad story. Yes, we do want to respect people’s right to maintain traditions, but this is a new age. Even the blacksmiths and carriage makers moved on.

    Posted by jan  on  06/17  at  04:16 PM
    4. Page 1 of 1 pages

Name:

Email (required, but will not be made public):

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my details for future comments?

Let me know about new replies to this topic?

What is the sum of 3 and 7?

Next entry: Wild for Wild Kitty

Previous entry: String Eaters!

<< Back to main