How evil can you get?

 Japanese whalers have set off into the South Pacific on Sunday with orders to kill humpback whales for the first time in decades. The hunt is certain to inflame tensions in the standoff between anti-whaling forces and Japan. These beautiful majestic animals are by far the largest living creatures in the world.

 They are still endangered!

 Humpback whales were killed extensively from the late 1800's through the first part of the 20th century. Although they were protected in the early 1960's recent revelations from the Soviet Union indicate massive illegal and unreported kills which went on up until 1970 in the southern oceans. Best estimates are that there are now some 8,000 humpbacks in the North Atlantic, perhaps 4,000 in the North Pacific, and some 3-4,000 in the southern oceans. Although these populations are now protected and recovering, they remain at 10%-20% of original estimates, still considered an endangered species.

 How anyone could hunt such beautiful creatures is beyond human understanding. It is pure evil, nothing more nothing less. In different parts of the world some of the most exotic and thrilling wildlife sights are whale watching. The writer of these lines has participated in one whale watch excursion and its beauty is indescribable. It takes a segment of the lower part of humanity to harpoon these beautiful trusting animals.

At the forefront of opposition to this outrage is Greenpeace who threaten to follow the Japanese whalers wherever they go and try to hinder at least the slaughter. All responsible governments should show their outrage by contacting the Japanese government. There should be a world boycott on all Japanese products until these horrible acts are stopped.

 A few months ago the world was fixated on the rescue of two whales that mistakenly swam into the San-Francisco bay. They were eventually rescued after much effort and money were expended. Now the Japanese will wantonly kill whales for its meat and maybe a thrill.

 
Horrible.