The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark and Shark Conservation

The scalloped hammerhead shark is one of the strangest looking sharks on earth with their intriguing shaped head which actually contains sensory organs that help the scalloped hammerhead shark sense the electrical fields of animals.  Even if an animal is not moving, the scalloped hammerhead shark can find prey just by their heartbeat!  Source:  Hammerhead Shark, National Geographic.

At a few spectatcular locations in the world, like Cocos Islands, and the Galapagos you can see large schools of the scalloped hammerhead shark.  These scalloped hammerhead sharks are all female and the most dominant ones are in the center of the school where they are likely to find the best mates. 

Why the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Needs Immediate Shark Conservation Action

The status of the scalloped hammerhead shark is not known, but  as with all species of sharks, the scalloped hammerhead shark is frequently caught for its fins, which is then made into shark fin soup. Usually the shark fins are cut off the shark while they are still alive and then the remainder of the shark’s body is thrown back into the ocean alive.  The shark suffers a cruel wasteful  death. Last year 100 million sharks were killed for their fins. The scalloped hammerhad shark and and all shark populations everywhere are decreasing rapidly because of shark finning. Scientists estimate that shark populations have decreased by 90% in the past ten years.  

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Conservation

• Do not eat shark fin soup.  This is the number one shark conservation act you can do.
• Support shark conservation by Scuba Diving with Sharks at shark hot spots such as Cocos Islands, and the Galapagos to see the scalloped hammerhead shark and to increase shark conservation efforts

Sign Shark Finning Petitions to show support for shark conservation

See the movie Shark Water to see the challenges of shark conservation. 

Join the Shark Trust to show your support for shark conservation

Participate in a scalloped hammerhead shark tagging expedition at Cocos Islands to help scalloped hammerhead shark conservation at Cocos, one of the few hot spots for the scalloped hammerhead shark in the world!

The scalloped hammerhead shark photo is of one of the females of the infamous schools at Galapagos.

For information on:
Shark Diving in South Africa:  No Cage Required
Whale sharks
Help Save Animals
Volunteer Work with Animals
Books About Animals

Fun Narwhal Whale Facts and How You Can Save Them

Narwhal whales are best known for their long unicorn like tusk, which is actually a tooth! If you see a narwhal whale with a long tooth you know it's a male, since female narwhals have a much smaller tooth. Scientists are not sure what function the long tooth serves but it may be used as a weapon, mating, to establish dominance or for channeling solar pulses. I don't think any of my teeth have those abilities!

Despite their long tooth, narwhal whales are preyed upon by polar bears, orcas and hunted for subsistence by Inuits. I'm guessing they must be pretty hungry to go after such a large whale with a gigantic tooth! If you have never been to the Arctic waters where narwhal whales live, you probably have never seen a narwhal whale since they don't do well in captivity. Listen to a Narwhal Whale. Source/more info: Defenders of Wildlife: Narwhal.

Why Narwhal Whales Need Our Help
Narwhal's have long been called the "ivory of the Arctic" and hunted for their long tooth. They are not currently at risk for extinction with estimates of 45,000 - 50,000 narwhals, but they could be if trade for their parts continues. The U.S. and Mexico ban imports of all marine mammal products but many other countries do not which could endanger the narwhal whale, along with many other marine mammals. Source: National Geographic: Hunting Narwhals

Help Save Narwhal Whales

• Sign a petition to stop all commercial whaling
• Tell Your Senators to Act Against Global Warming
• Shop at Save the Whales
• Visit 10 Ways You Can Marine Life Everyday

Narwhal whale photo courtesy of: Whale Release and Stranding Newfoundland and Labrador

Fun Manatee Facts and How You Can Save Them

Would you believe that manatees closest relatives are elephants and hyraxes? That's right manatees are though to have evolved from 4-legged land animals over 60 million years ago.

Manatees are also sometimes called sea cows but despite their slow movements they have a lot going on - their intelligence, learning ability and long term memory is similar to that of dolphins!

Did you know that manatees have bones in their flippers that are similar to the human hand? These bones enable the manatee to move through the water, bring food to their mouth and hold objects. They even have "finger" nails on each flipper.

Look closely at the photo. Notice anything missing? Manatees don't have eye lashes!

Why Manatees Need Our Help
Manatees are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and endangered by the Endangered Species Act. The leading cause of death for these gentle giants is boats - either by propeller or hull, both of which result in serious if not fatal wounds. Most manatees have scars on their back which scientists use to identify individuals. Global warming, which leads to toxic algae blooms and loss of coastal and fresh water habitat and degradation of their habitat are also threats to the manatee. Sources: Manatee Fun Facts, Florida Manatee

Help Save Manatees

• Tell your senator to act against global warning (U.S. citizens)


• Volunteer with Save the Manatee Club


• Send an online letter to protect Florida's beaches (one area where manatees live)


• Sign a petition for Greater Enforcement Of Boat Speed Zones (in Florida)


• Get cool manatee stuff (some of it's free)


• Join Save the Mantee Club on Facebook

Manatee photo courtesty of: windy234

Coral Reefs in Danger and How You Can Save Them

Did you know that while coral reefs might look like plants, they're actually made up of coral polyps which are tiny animals that live in colonies? When they die, their bodies form the reef structure made of limestone.

Many of us have heard of the Golden Triangle, but have you ever heard of the Coral Triangle? It is the most diverse marine environment in the world and encapsulates the Western Indonesia archipelago, Malaysia and a small part of Thailand.

25% of all fish call coral reefs home including reef sharks, clown fish, eels, crustaceans and turtles to name but a few. I'd say they all have a good eye for interior design, since coral reefs are beautiful. Source and for map of coral reefs in danger: Major Endangered Reef Regions

Coral Reefs in Danger
Many coral reefs are in danger from water pollution, bleaching caused by the rising ocean temperature, overfishing, dynamite and cyanide fishing - which is common when fishing for clown fish and napoleon fish, sedimentation and disease. It is estimated that 25% of all coral reefs have already disappeared and 66% of all coral reefs are in danger. 88% of coral reefs in SE Asia are in danger, including the Coral Triangle. We need to act quickly before we destroy the "rain forest of the sea" and the world's most biodiverse ecosystem on earth. Source: Coral Reef Facts

Coral Reef Conservation

• Sign a pre-letter written by the World Wildlife Fund to your member of congress (U.S.) urging them to support the Tropical Forest and Coral Conservation Act
• Sign the Stop the Destruction of Duweiba and Its Coral Reefs Petition (opposing a power plant in Egypt which would be detrimental to the coral reefs in the Red Sea)
• Become a Friend of the Reef through the Coral Reef Alliance
• Donate to the Planetary Coral Reef Foundation
• Become a Fan of the Coral Reef Alliance on Facebook
• Join the Coral Reef Revolution Cause on Facebook
• Enter the Coral E-Current Photo Contest
• Become a volunteer diver for Reef Check California
• Visit Coral Reefs of the Tropics for tips on coral reef conservation from The Nature Conservancy
• Sign up for a coral reef dive EcoExpedition with Reef Check
• Shop at the Artists for Reefs Online Store
• Become a coral reef docent (volunteer who educates people) in Key West Florida, or the Bahamas
  

Thank you for taking time to help save coral reefs!
Photo of a coral reef in the Red Sea courtesy of: Marcus
You may also be interested in Clown Fish - The Bravest Fish in the Sea?

Spotted Eagle Ray Facts and How You Can Save Them

The spotted eagle ray, or eagle ray as it is also called, is one of the oddest looking creatures on earth that appears to fly through the water.

Spotted eagle rays frequently travel in schools and it literally looks like a flock of birds flying overhead, except that its a school of spotted eagle rays "flying" gracefully through the water. Truly one of the most impressive sights I have ever seen. To see what I mean, check out this short video of schooling eagle rays.

Spotted eagle rays are also known to leap out of the water, especially when being chased, quite an impressive sight I imagine.

Although spotted eagle rays have a venomous tail spine, they are generally shy and are no threat to humans unless provoked.

Also interesting is that spotted eagle rays, like all rays, are cousins of sharks. Who knew? I personally don't see the family resemblence. Source: Floria Museum of Natural History, Spotted Eagle Ray

Why the Spotted Eagle Ray Needs Our Help
Spotted eagle rays are considered near threatened by the IUCN. Their population numbers are not known making it difficult to define their conservation status. Although spotted eagle rays are rarely eaten for food, they are frequently caught as by catch which is believed to be having a dramatic impact on their numbers. Source: ARKive Spotted Eagle Ray

Help Save the Spotted Eagle Ray

• Only buy sustainably sourced seafood, follow the Marine Stewardship Council's Guidelines
• Reduce your CO2 emissions which will help stop the seas from rising and also reduce the acidity in the oceans caused by CO2 emissions which is killing sea life
• Volunteer at a beach clean up
• Volunteer to safeguard coral reefs - a favourite hangout of spotted eagle rays
• Send a free e-card courtesy of Save our Seas to help spread the word
• Sign a pledge at thankyouocean.org your actions will help save the spotted eagle ray and other marine species
• Connect with thankyouocean.org through your social networks (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace)
• Visit Save Our Seas for more ideas
• Visit Help Save Animals for more ideas, especially about reducing plastic consumption

Spotted Eagle Ray in the Galapagos photo courtesy of K Malik

Whale Shark Facts and Whale Shark Conservation

Whale Shark Information
The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea reaching lengths of up to 12 m (40 ft), that's about the size of a bus. You usually feel their presence before you see them, it's a strange feeling to look up and see a 12m fish swimming above you.


Whale sharks have huge mouths, in fact you could fit a Volkswagen beetle in their mouth - gulp! Fortunately their throats are very small and whale sharks feed on plankton and are of no threat to humans. Diving or snorkeling with whale sharks is truly a once in a lifetime experience and I would encourage everybody who has the opportunity to do so. Holbox, Mexico is famous for its opportunity to swim with whale sharks.  If you would like to dive with whale sharks, the Galapagos is a good choice during "whale shark season".  We saw four in two days!


Whale sharks also have their own sort of finger prints - the spots on their body. Each whale shark has its own unique marking, just like we each have our own unique finger prints. In fact if you can ever are fortunate enough to be up close to a whale shark, you are encouraged to snap a photo and send it to the Whale Shark Project where the data is used in migration studies to gain a better understanding of whale sharks. More Info on whale sharks: Whale Shark Facts

Why Whale Sharks Need Our Help

Whale sharks are hunted for their fins which are used in shark find soup, which is very popular in Asia, especially Hong Kong. Over 100 million sharks are slaughtered every year for their fins.

The photo above is of a whale shark we saw in the Galapagos. The tail should be straight but is damaged - likely because of an accidental run in with a boat motor. Whale sharks are considered to be a threatened species but it is widely agreed that more information is needed before their status can be confirmed.
Whale Shark Conservation

• Never eat shark fin soup! 100 million sharks a year are dying needlessly for a bowl of soup!  Banning the practice of shark finning is the most critical step in whale shark conservation!
• Volunteer with whale sharks in Mozambique
• Swim with whale sharks or dive with whale sharks which puts your tourism $$$ towards saving whale sharks by showing they are worth more alive than dead (Holbox, Mexico is a whale shark haven during the summer months)
• Take a photo of a whale shark with its spots visible and submit it to the Whale Shark Project to be used to study whale sharks migration patterns and aid in whale shark research
• Sign a petition to stop shark finning in the EU
• Become an online volunteer researching sharks and rays for the Shark Trust (I've learned a ton about sharks and rays from doing this)
• Sign up for the free Shark Alliance Newsletter
• Become a fan of the Shark Alliance on Facebook
• Become a member of ECOCEAN Whale Shark Research and Conservation on Facebook
• Adopt a Whale Shark
• Join the Shark Trust and receive Shark Focus magazine as part of your membership
• Shop at the Shark Shop (all the proceeds go to the Shark Trust which conducts whale shark research)
• Send a Shark e-card to help spread the word about whale shark conservation
• Always follow the Code of Conduct when diving with whale sharks

It really is amazing all the actions you can take to save whale sharks, even if you are land locked like I am. Thank you for your work on whale shark conservation!

For information on Hammerhead sharks, Leatherback turtles, Coral reefs

Dolphin Facts and How You Can Save Them

When baby dolphins position themselves to the right and just behind their mothers, they are sucked forward by the motion of their swimming mothers. This assists the baby in swimming who has not yet developed all its strength. Now you know why baby dolphins swim close to their mothers! Source: Dolphin Fun.

I guess the baby dolpin in the photo on the right didn't need his mother's help off the west coast of Scotland. He seemed to do just fine on his own.

Why Dolphins Need Our Help
Each year over 20,000 dolphins and porpoises are being slaughtered in Taiji Cove, Japan, a remote fishing village out of sight from the public. Dolphins are slaughtered for their meat which contains toxic levels of mercury - not good for the dolphins or the Japanese eating the meat.

Help Save Dolphins

• Never eat dolphin meat, which is sometimes marketed as whale meat. It is obviously bad for dolphins but is bad for us too due to the high levels of mercury found in dolphins.
• Sign a letter Help Save Japan's Dolphins to be sent to President Obama and other political heads.
• Go see the movie The Cove, a documentary on the dolphin slaughter in Japan (movie trailer at The Cove
• Don't swim with dolphins in captive settings, although fun for you, this is a cruel existence for dolphins. Also don't attend dolphin shows for the same reason. Sign a pledge at Captivity is Cruel - Don't Go to a Dolphin Show
• Volunteer with dolphins in the Hebrides (off the west coast of Scotland) through the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust. I loved it. See my experience at Volunteer Vacations The Pros and Cons.

Thank you for taking the time to help save dolphins!