Threats to whales: focus on oil spills
August 26, 2010 6:43 pm
For years, several species of whale have been close to extinction. While organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund have worked hard to reduce the perils, endangered whales are still at risk. With the oil spill in the Gulf still in our sights, having just occurred April 20th of this year, the threats to whale species have risen considerably; particularly for the Sperm Whale.Oil spills are lethal for all marine life. Ocean creatures suffer from oil soaked skin, which not only affects their body temperatures but also their ability to breathe. Other risks include ruined eating abilities (due to swallowing the oil) and a lack of sun reaching the underwater life forms that depend on it (such as plants). Whales have to come up for air, making the threats of an oil spill similar to that of other marine life. Whales are in particular jeopardy of drowning, lung inhalation, reduced food supplies, and severe damages to their habitats. … More