Metropolitan Touring Argentina is upping its environmental commitment with the signing this month of a joint venture agreement with The Whales Conservation Institute, a non-profit organization founded in 1996 to protect the Southern Wright Whale and its environment through research and awareness raising.
As Argentinean affiliate of the Whale Conservation Institute / Ocean Alliance (WCI/OA), the ICB develops the "Southern Wright Whale Program" which is longest-running programme of its kind, employing monitoring of individuals through aerial photographs.
Here, we outline the qualities whales possess which convinced us to support this laudable conservation initiative.
Discover the Valdés Peninsula with Metropolitan Touring!
Text provided by Mariano Sironi, Scientific Director of ICB from the article "Beyond whale species survival - peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment as a basis for human-cetacean relations", written by R. Barstow.
Whales are biologically special. They include the biggest animals that ever existed such as the Blue Whale. The Hunchbacked Whale is the creator of the longer and more complex songs developed by any animal since the brain cortex of this species is more complex than the human's one.
Whales are ecologically special. The whales have evolved as marine mammals through more than 25 millions of years, long time before man made its appearance in the oceanic ecosystem. They are at the top of the marine food chain. Due to its big size, its wide distribution in all the oceans and several strategies to obtain its food, whales affected the ocean in a special way and with a global impact.
Whales are culturally special for human beings They have an incredible ability to enrich the life of those who enter in pacific contact with them. They exercise a unique attraction over the human spirit as they cause astonishment and surprise. There exists a mysticism around whales which inspires a sense of wonder and happiness over people all over the world. They became in powerful educational tools for people of any age and nationality.
Whales are politically special. Their habitat, the ocean, is not defined by national borders, but also belongs to all nations and no particular one. They constitute a global resource. Whales are under an international control and everybody has the moral right to safeguard them.
Whales are symbolically special. Whales have managed to symbolize the concern for environment. That is why the whale's preservation has become in a source of inspiration for those who work to preserve all the forms of life and its interrelations. There is an international agreement to condemn the whale hunting activity as they are a special symbol of "sharing the planet"
As an inbound operator in the Valdes Peninsula, well known as "The Sanctuary of the Whales" in Argentina, Metropolitan Touring Argentina promotes the sustainable use of the whale through the watching activity bit always abided by the laws to assure its preservation.
This activity results in an economical benefit for the local community and allows educating the visitors about the importance of the ocean environment preservation.
Discover the Valdés Peninsula with Metropolitan Touring!
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