48 hrs. to help Alaska's Cook Inlet beluga whales

[monk24]

The following text is from an e-mail I received pleading for help to convince the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list beluga whales as an endangered species. Please consider signing the petition (link below) to help. Thanks.

"The Cook Inlet once teemed with up to 1300 beluga whales -- a genetically distinct population of these white whales. But sadly, their numbers have dropped to only around 300 in the last few decades.

Biologists thought that over-hunting was largely to blame for the decline of these belugas. But they have not rebounded, even after almost 10 years of stringent hunting regulations.

Scientists now believe that other factors are affecting the recovery of these whales.

Cook Inlet belugas rear their young and feed just offshore of Alaska's most populated and fastest growing areas. Unfortunately, more and more pollution and sewage pour directly into the beluga's home each year.

Listing the Cook Inlet belugas as endangered would provide critical protections for both the whale and the inlet itself, giving the belugas the chance they need to recover. But there are less than 48 hours to try to convince federal officials to support action to save Alaska's beautiful Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Federal officials will decide in less than 48 hours whether to support listing the Cook Inlet belugas as an endangered species. These beloved whales need federal protection, but we need to speak up now to ensure they get the help they need."

Link to sign petition and submit comments:
http://go.care2.com/e/R8I_/hsp1/KETQ

[InvisibleTouch]

1. Thanks for posting. Signed! n/t