Colin the baby humpback whale gained fame for following yachts off the coast of Sydney, Australia and trying to suckle from them, having lost his mother. Several days went by while the injured calf grew weaker and weaker. Despite attempts to help him, including bringing in an aboriginal whale whisperer, the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change decided the most humane option would be to euthanize him.
Despite Colin's tragic end, this experience can be used to strengthen the conservation and rescue efforts for future whales. The humpback whale has only recently been removed from the endangered species list - and we need to keep it that way!
Call for a thorough investigation as to why Colin was abandoned so as to learn more about the behaviour of whales, and to provide better protection in the future.
For more information, see http://www.care2.com/news/member/509544259/854575Dear New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change,
Colin the whale captivated the public's attention for days, as the media documented his gravitation towards yachts and his attempts to suckle from them. With Colin's unfortunate death, I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation as to why the whale was abandoned by his mother. This experience can lead to further research about the seemingly bizarre behaviour of whales, as well as to the development of more humane conservation and rescue methods.
[Your comments here]
Recently, the World Conservation Union released a revised endangered species list, reclassifying the humpback whale from being "vulnerable" to being of "least concern." Although this is encouraging to the global efforts to save whales, we must work to keep this species unlisted. I urge you to direct your efforts to uncovering the causes of Colin's death as well as additional investigation to better understand and protect humpback whales.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.
