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Whale Leaps From Water, Crushes Sailboat

Source: FOX - If you play with fire, you get burned. Or crushed, it appears.

Photographs show a 33-foot southern right whale soaring out of the water off Cape Town, South Africa, and landing on a couple's boat, nearly destroying it. But reports indicate that the 40-ton beast was provoked into the attack -- and local officials are investigating.

The couple, Ralph Mothes and Paloma Werner, posted pictures of the incident on a Facebook  page associated with their company, Cape Town Sailing Academy. 

The couple detailed the incident in a typo-laden post on the social-networking site: 

"While taking some pictures we decided to had back when a southern right whale, between 11 - 14 m long, breach about 100 meters away from us and then suddenly breach about 10 meters from us and then on us. We where sailing had no engine of so we could not even take any action. Scary!"

Mothes said his 32-foot steel boat had held up well, sustaining no structural damage despite the right whale's massive bulk.

Reports suggest that the couple's harassing behavior may have incited the whale, however, leading the local Department of Environmental Affairs to launch an investigation. Several people came forward to say a boater had broken the law by approaching the whale, reported one local news agency.

The couple tells a different story. They point out that because this particular species of whale navigates by sound -- and has poor eyesight -- it may have simply not heard the sailboat.

"Our boat's engine was off and so the whale just didn't know we were there," Paloma Werner told the BBC.

"We were just the wrong boat, in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

Werner and her partner Ralph reportedly first saw the whale in the distance. They floated for an hour watching. "It appeared about 120 meters away from our boat and then it went under the water again," she told the BBC.

"A few moments later, I saw it resurface just 10 meters away. Suddenly I heard my partner shout, and when I looked around, I saw the huge thing breaching onto the deck.

"Instinctively, I took cover as the mast came crashing down. I saw my partner, Ralph, dive for cover behind the yacht's wheel. Then the whale slid down the side of the boat and back into the water."

"As soon as I realized that we were unhurt, we checked to see how much damage had been done.

"Luckily, we weren't taking on water so we started the engine and headed for shore. I saw the whale reappear further away.

"When we got back to land, I realized how lucky we were to have survived."

Adrian Grenier Spawning Bluefin Tuna Awareness Via New PSA (Video)

Source: Ecorazzi - Remember the days when tuna fish sandwiches were a simple yet reliable lunchbox staple, sharing neck-in-neck popularity with peanut butter and jelly on white? Somewhere along the line, America transitioned its appetite for the academic lunch hour brain food into a full throttle love affair for its sushi-fied incarnation with specialty restaurants quintupling from 1988 – 1998, contributing to the ultimate decline of an entire species.

Today, our global culture’s insatiable hunger for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (attributed to 40 years of overfishing) has been responsible for a population decline of 97%, which is hard to imagine given their hefty 1500 pound size. As if our appetite for the highly sought after protein source weren’t enough of a threat to its existence, bluefin tuna typically spawn throughout the spring and summer months in the Gulf of Mexico, which as everyone knows, spells doom for the species now that it is tainted with oil. In fact, scientists estimate that billions upon billions of bluefin larvae were likely in the gulf at the time that the Deepwater Horizon spill first occurred and though they have a strong sense of smell (and can probably detect oil), their Gulf spawning instinct is probably stronger.

Entourage star Adrian Grenier – a longtime proponent of various ecological causes – has just filmed a public service announcement for Oceana entitled Going Fast which sheds light on the plight of bluefin tuna. Citing his refusal to “sit back idly while this amazing predator is being pushed to the brink of extinction”, the 34 year old acknowledges that “fishing bluefin at alarming rates” has resulted in a critical time for them that we must address through real world action.

There is a ray of hope for the fish since the Center For Biological Diversity filed a request for endangered species status back in May, but the process will likely take years of analysis and consideration before a final decision is reached. In the meantime, actors such as Grenier using their high profile status to educate the public on environmental concerns such as this is one step in the right direction. Learn more about what you can personally do to help imperiled marine species such as bluefin tuna via Oceana’s website.

Stop Whale Killing

Dear friends, The international vote that could legalize commercial whale hunting is just weeks away. Let's run an ad campaign that governments won't miss, telling them the world won't accept a legal whale killing industry. In two weeks, the International Whaling Commission will hold its final vote on a proposal to legalize commercial whale hunting for the first time in a generation.

The outcome rests on whose voices are heard most clearly in the final hours: the pro-whaling lobby -- or the world's people?

We've signed the petitions -- now it's time to mount a massive final push to make our voices heard, and protect the whales. Avaaz has scoped out a giant billboard outside of Morocco's Agadir airport, a front-page advertisement in the newspapers given to attendees, street posters to line the walkways, and hand-bills to pass to delegates. From the moment they step off the plane in Agadir until they cast their deciding votes, delegates will be constantly reminded that the world won't accept legal whale slaughter.

Click here to see the impossible-to-ignore billboard, and donate to fuel this campaign... even $5 or $10 or euros makes a difference.

Thanks to the outcry of 650,000 Avaaz members, along with partners everywhere, many governments have pledged to oppose the proposal. Each time the Avaaz whale petition added 100,000 signatures, it was sent again to the IWC and key governments -- and some, like New Zealand, thanked all of us who had signed on.

But pressure from the other side has been relentless -- and now other governments, especially in Europe and Latin America, may abstain... or even support the proposal. The vote could go either way.

Citizen pressure is our best hope. After all, it was an explosive worldwide social movement in the 1980s that led to the commercial whaling ban we're now trying to protect. When the International Whaling Commission meets in Morocco this June 22, let's make sure the world's voices are there to greet them.

After the global ban was first implemented on commercial whaling, the number of whales killed each year plummeted from 38,000 per year to just a couple of thousand. It's a testament to the power of humanity to move forward. As we move to confront the other crises of the modern age, let's cherish this legacy of progress -- by joining together now to protect our majestic and intelligent neighbors on this fragile planet.

With hope,

Ben, Ben M, Maria Paz, Benjamin, David, Graziela, Iain, Luis, Ricken, and the whole Avaaz team

P.S.: Despite the ban, Japan, Norway, and Iceland have continued whaling -- and are now pushing to make the IWC proposal as lenient as possible. Expecting permission to catch more whales than ever, Japan is reportedly planning to buy its largest whaling ship yet. Click here to fund an advertising blitz and campaign at the IWC meeting to oppose commercial whaling.

Love Pierce Brosnan!

Source: Ecorazzi  - We know that Pierce Brosnan loves whales and we’re super excited to see that he’s taking some major steps to protect these mighty animals.

Brosnan has teamed up with The Humane Society of the United States to convince the International Whaling Commission to continue protecting whales around the world.

For the first time in 25 years, on June 21, the International Whaling Commission will meet to decide whether to effectively lift the prohibition on commercial whaling. If this happens,  it will give Japan, Iceland and Norway free will to hunt whales.

In a letter, Pierce says:

“We cannot allow three nations to decide the fate of the world’s whales. In 1982, the nations of the world recognized that whales could not survive if commercial whaling continued. In 2010, when whales face even more threats than ever before — including toxic pollution, climate change, loss of habitat, ship strikes, and oil and gas exploration — how could anyone believe it’s safe to let whalers off their leash? YOU can make all the difference.”

Rob Pattinson Love Elephants!

Source: CelebsGoneGood - Twilight star Robert Pattinson announced that his favorite charity is the World Wildlife Fund, a worldwide organization focused on protecting nature. With his new film, Pattinson, his fans, and the WWF will be focusing on the conservation of elephants.

Whaledreamers (Video)

Love Will Take You Here (Video)

Screening of 'Disappointment Valley' at OLANDAR

Sunday, April 25, 730P - Screening of  'Disappointment Valley' at Olandar, home of Carla and Leigh McCloskey, 6032 Philip Avenue, Malibu, Ca  90265

$15.00  (We are trying to raise funds for this very important cause-please let horse lovers and others who would be interested know about this event!)

New guests may come at 7P to see Leigh's wonder study, the Hieroglyph of the Human Soul  - See images of the Hieroglyph and Leigh's other work on his website: www.leighmccloskey.com

RSVP for screening needed as space is limited: 310-457-5398

This film examines the plight of America's wild horses and the rapidly deteriorating condition of our wild and beautiful public lands in the majestic, haunting American west. The film is impressionable, haunting and will inspire people to take action towards positive change.  The film presents solutions for America’s wild horses and burros and the preservation of our public lands. We are honored to have James Anaquad Kleinert-Director/Cinematographer available for Q&A after the screening.

Watch the clip below:

Gregory Colbert's Ashes and Snow

If you haven't heard of Gregory Colbert or 'Ashes and Snow,' be prepared to experience one of the most breathtaking works of art in modern times.

Source: Youtube - Gregory Colbert has used both still and movie cameras to explore extraordinary interactions between humans and animals. His exhibition, Ashes and Snow, consists of over 50 large-scale photographic artworks, a 60-minute film, and two 9-minute film haikus.

This excerpt is entitled Feather to Fire, and is narrated in three languages by Laurence Fishburne (English), Ken Watanabe (Japanese), and Enrique Rocha (Spanish).

More information about Gregory Colbert and Ashes and Snow is available at www.ashesandsnow.com.

Pierce Brosnan To Narrate Disneynature "Oceans"

Source: ecorazzi - Just when we thought we’d never hear a foreign accent narrate an American nature documentary, along comes word that Pierce Brosnan will provide the narration for Disneynature’s new OCEANS.

The film, which hits theaters on Earth Day April 22nd, is a follow-up to last year’s highly successful EARTH film — which was narrated by James Earl Jones. In a release, Disney alludes that it chose Brosnan because of his commitment to ocean initiatives and organizations like Sea Shepherd, California Coastal Protection Network, Ocean Futures Society, Oceana and Waterkeeper Alliance, among others.

It was also announced that the film will once again be a fundraiser of sorts — using opening weekend ticket sales to determine a donation to The Nature Conservancy to save coral reefs. The program is being called “See OCEANS, Save Oceans.” For every person that sees the film, $.20 cents will be donated — with a minimum of $100,000 for the initiative. If OCEANS does as well as EARTH’s opening weekend, that would equal roughly $250,000 for TNC.

Simon Cowell Loves Animals

Source: CelebsGoneGood - For the love of animals, Simon Cowell took some time out of his busy schedule to film a video in support of The World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) and its “Animals Matter to Me” campaign.

WSPA, the world’s largest alliance of animal welfare groups, works to garner awareness about the need for animal welfare legislation, and to show governments and policy makers that animals matter to us. Other celeb WSPA supporters include Leona Lewis and Hayden Panettiere.

Scientists Go 'Gaga' to Find Creatures Beneath 600 Feet of Ice

Source: Yahoo - In a surprising discovery about where higher life can thrive, scientists for the first time found a shrimp-like creature and a jellyfish frolicking beneath a massive Antarctic ice sheet.

Six hundred feet below the ice where no light shines, scientists had figured nothing much more than a few microbes could exist.

That's why a NASA team was surprised when they lowered a video camera to get the first long look at the underbelly of an ice sheet in Antarctica. A curious shrimp-like creature came swimming by and then parked itself on the camera's cable. Scientists also pulled up a tentacle they believe came from a foot-long jellyfish.

"We were operating on the presumption that nothing's there," said NASA ice scientist Robert Bindschadler, who will be presenting the initial findings and a video at an American Geophysical Union meeting Wednesday. "It was a shrimp you'd enjoy having on your plate."

"We were just gaga over it," he said of the 3-inch-long, orange critter starring in their two-minute video. Technically, it's not a shrimp. It's a Lyssianasid amphipod, which is distantly related to shrimp.

The video is likely to inspire experts to rethink what they know about life in harsh environments. And it has scientists musing that if shrimp-like creatures can frolic below 600 feet of Antarctic ice in subfreezing dark water, what about other hostile places? What about Europa, a frozen moon of Jupiter?

"They are looking at the equivalent of a drop of water in a swimming pool that you would expect nothing to be living in and they found not one animal but two," said biologist Stacy Kim of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in California, who joined the NASA team later. "We have no idea what's going on down there."

Microbiologist Cynan Ellis-Evans of the British Antarctic Survey called the finding intriguing.

"This is a first for the sub-glacial environment with that level of sophistication," Ellis-Evans said. He said there have been findings somewhat similar, showing complex life in retreating ice shelves, but nothing quite directly under the ice like this.

Ellis-Evans said it's possible the creatures swam in from far away and don't live there permanently.

But Kim, who is a co-author of the study, doubts it. The site in West Antarctica is at least 12 miles from open seas. Bindschadler drilled an 8-inch-wide hole and was looking at a tiny amount of water. That means it's unlikely that that two critters swam from great distances and were captured randomly in that small of an area, she said.

Yet scientists were puzzled at what the food source would be for these critters. While some microbes can make their own food out of chemicals in the ocean, complex life like the amphipod can't, Kim said.

So how do they survive? That's the key question, Kim said.

"It's pretty amazing when you find a huge puzzle like that on a planet where we thought we know everything," Kim said.

How Can One Resist?

Source: Yahoo - A dog rests during Britain's annual Crufts dog show at the NEC Arena in Birmingham, England, on Thursday March 11, 2010.

National Geographic's 'Extraordinary Animals in the Womb'

Source: Ecorazzi - National Geographic created a stunning documentary a few years back called Extraordinary Animals in the Womb - but this is the first I’ve heard of it.

What really caught my attention are the scenes the filmmakers managed to put together using new advances in scanning and imaging technology. The footage is actually a combination of digital photography, scans, and computer-generated models — but the work is so seamless that it’s very hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t.

“There is no intention to deceive, and we are clear about just how far our cameras can go,” said the show’s producer Peter Chinn. “But the picture we’ve been able to build up goes further than my wildest dreams.”

It’s worth noting that none of the animals — or their embryos — were harmed during the filming. Whatever could not be captured in great detail using scanning cameras was meticulously rendered to represent what a close-up would look like on the inside.

Kiehls 'Doing Good Things' Since 1851

Kiehl’s Since 1851 and Voice For The Animals Foundation host Pet Adoption and Fund-Raising Event this Saturday Feb 27th!!!

Each customer who donates $10+ to Voice For The Animals Foundation on the day of the event, and at the Kiehl’s store through Saturday, March 6, may choose between a complimentary Creme de Corps body moisturizer (4.2 oz. size), or a Spray-N-Play Cleansing Spritz (one product per customer)

When: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 from 12 pm to 3 pm

Where: Kiehl’s Since 1851, 100 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA  90048 310-860-0028

·Kiehl’s will present $500 to Voice For The Animals Foundation at the event, in support of the organization’s advocacy on behalf of animals.

·Voice For The Animals Foundation will bring a number of animals looking for homes to Kiehl’s, in hopes of making a match.

·Each customer who adopts leaves with a Kiehl’s gift box

·Kiehl’s customers are invited to donate to Voice For The Animals Foundation.                                                                                                                                            

Kiehl’s is dedicated to our communities:  The Mission of Kiehl’s Since 1851 states that “a worthwhile firm must have a purpose for its existence.  Not only the everyday work-a-day purpose to earn a just profit, but beyond that, to improve in some way the quality of the community to which it is committed.”

Kiehl’s Since 1851 is a skin, body and hair care apothecary dedicated to serving women and men formulas made with uniquely efficacious, natural ingredients, and committed to giving back to the communities in which we do business.  (www.kiehls.com)

Voice For The Animals Foundation is a Santa Monica-based organization devoted to creating respect and empathy for animals through education, rescue, legislation, and advocacy.  (www.vftafoundation.org)