Random Dolphin Fact #1:

About 3/4 of all dolphins taken into captivity are female. Once taken into captivity, their lifespan will be significantly shortened when compared to the lifespan of a wild dolphin.

How you can help!

One of the first questions many people ask when they hear about the problems facing dolphins and other sea mammals is "what can be done to help?" Surprisingly, few people realize how many opportunities are available to increase the quality of life for endangered, threatened, and at risk sea creatures! Here are five ways that you can help improve the quality of life for oceanic wild-life!

1) Adopt a dolphin

For as little as $25, you can symbolically "adopt a dolphin" through the programs linked below! All money donated to these programs will go to help fund dolphin research and species conservation! ** Remember: before donating any amount of money to a program that works directly with sea mammals, be sure to investigate the nature of their involvement. The programs listed on this site are all "safe" programs! Many others that work with ocean life do more harm than good! **

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - $25, $50, and $100 adoption kits (*Whale and other animal adoptions also available!*)

Oceanic Society - $40 adoption kits

Ocean Conservation Society - $50 adoption kits

2) Send a letter

Send a letter to President Obama, Vice President Biden and Japanese Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisak urging them to take action regarding the slaughter and abuse of dolphins in Japan!

3) Make a pledge to stop going to dolphin shows

Dolphin shows may look like a lot of fun to those who go - but to dolphins places such as Sea World and Marineland are cruel and unnatural. Sign a petition right now saying that you will not attend shows featuring trained or captive dolphins and/or other cetaceans.

4) Watch The Cove

Rent the movie The Cove and educate yourself about the horrible treatment of dolphins in Japan. Remember: knowledge is power!

Then...

5) Spread the word

The most significant thing that you can do to help end the suffering of cetaceans across the globe is to spread the word to family, friends, and others in your community. Introduce them to the programs listed above and tell them to visit our blog to gain more information!

Now, go and GET INVOLVED! =)

- Brooke

The Cove Review

I recently watched The Cove, which is a documentary about the slaughtering of thousands of dolphins each year by a number of Japanese fishermen. It is definitely worth a rent! This movie brings up a number of important issues relating to conservation and sustainability of species.

The killing of dolphins, and whales alike needs to stop. This practice was started as a way to acquire dolphins to keep in captivity. This practice has led to the murder of thousands of dolphins each year, the capture of others to keep in captivity (a practice which stresses them out so much that they need to take medicine for ulcers), and the selling of dolphin meat, which is dangerously high in mercury to the Japanese community.

Here are a few links that you might find interesting. The Japanese government is taking action to try to keep this video from being seen by the public. We must get involved to try to put an end to this practice!

See how you can help HERE

PSA about dolphins

The Cove Trailer