Australia Uses New Methods To Protect Whales

[Judi Lynn]

Australia Uses New Methods To Protect Whales

October 31, 2005 — By Associated Press
SYDNEY — Fierce whale-hunting opponent Australia said on Friday it was expanding the use of satellite and DNA technology to track and research whales as it seeks to overturn the killing of whales for scientific purposes.

Government scientists said the new methods, which use a crossbow and floating dart to tag whales and take a small skin sample, would allow scientists to study stock distribution, the biology and age of whales without killing them.

"Experience has shown that it is not necessary to kill whales to learn about them and this whale tagging programme is an important part of our non-lethal research programme," Environment Minister Ian Campbell said.

Divisions between pro- and anti-whaling countries over the issue of scientific research have deepened in recent years.

Countries are able to hunt whales for scientific purposes under a loophole in the founding constitution of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
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http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=9130

[xchrom]

1. good -- there is nothing more barbaric

than killing whales for any reason.