Whale Protection

Whenever you see a fluffy whale or dolphin with a WWF symbol, you instantly know that the proceeds go to the protection of the toy’s real life counterparts. The organization behind these toys, the World Wildlife Fund, has been looking out for wildlife, and their environments, since 1961. The organization was born in Switzerland, and since then, has expanded to global proportions. While the fund’s logo features a panda, the organization protects several species, including whales.With all the dangers that whales face, from whale hunting (to obtain their oil & meat) to fishing hazards and oil spills, the threat of their extinction is all too close for comfort. However, the World Wildlife Fund have established a strict goal in the effort to protect all whale groups: “The WWF Cetaceans Action Plan aims to ensure that by 2012, a significant reduction of threats to cetacean populations that are either currently endangered, or are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, is achieved” (WWF website).In order to achieve this mission, the World Wildlife Fund has been constantly fighting for change: particularly in the whale hunting industry. Alongside their efforts with TRAFFIC (the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network), the WWF has petitioned with the International Whaling Commission (an organization that regulates whaling) in the hopes that through “field research, training and capacity building, conservation education, and by securing improved national and international action and agreements,” (WWF website) the IWC can better supervise the trade.You don’t have to be a member to contribute to the WWF. If you adopt a whale, whether you chose an Orca, a Humpback, a Blue whale, or all of them, the adoption process contributes to the protection of that species. Kits range from 25 to 100, and each comes with an adoption certificate and photo. The more expensive kits include a plush whale and gift bags or boxes.