What Stranded Dolphins & Whales Are Trying To Tell Us
Secret Navy Sonar Tests "Killing Off" Rare Whales
From William Lowther
IN WASHINGTON
WITH a final despairing gasp,
this majestic rare beaked whale floundered in the surf and died.
Frightened from its normal deep-sea haven,
it is one of eight found dead on beaches in the Bahamas.
Multiple deaths of these elusive creatures are virtually unknown,
and now environmentalists are laying the blame on top-secret anti-submarine
experiments by the British and Americans.
They say a military exercise to test an anti-submarine warfare system has confused
the mammals' delicate navigation, causing them to go into a frenzy.
Fleeing from the torture of the sound waves, they are washed ashore,
where they die because they cannot get back into the sea.
Yesterday, environmental charity Earthwatch called for an end to the tests
before more whales perish.
And scientists said the last time this type of whale died in numbers,
they were close to sonic experiments.
The tests on the joint US-British system,
which began ten days ago north of the Abaco Islands,
involved a buoy emitting a sonar signal which was received by another buoy
while a submarine passed between them.
Computers on surface ships then identified the submarine's exact location.
US Navy Commander Greg Smith said: 'There's no scientific data that the testing
was linked to the unfortunate demise of the great mammals.'
But marine biologist Dr Ken Balcomb, of Earthwatch,
said it was more than a coincidence that 14 whales were grounded
on three beaches close to the
Abaco Islands test sight within 48 hours of the sonar experiments starting.
'It cannot be just coincidental. We want the tests stopped,' he said.
Eight of the 14 beached whales died,
while the other six have been enticed back into deeper water.
Professor Alexandros Frantzis, of the University of Athens, who
investigated the deaths
of 12 beaked whales in Greece after sonar tests by Nato in 1996,
said: 'Mass strandings of this species are very, very rare.
Deep-diving whales seem to be especially affected by low frequency sounds.
But little is known about the whales' reaction.'
The Sea Watch Foundation called for the Navy to end exercises off the
Hebrides last July
after campaigners claimed whales and dolphins were affected by sonar tests.
The US and Britain maintain a secret world wide system of
under water listening devices and soundemitting buoys to track submarines.
They fear an increasing number are passing into the hands of potentially hostile
countries such as Iran.
More than £200 million has been spent to develop the sonar system.
Some environmentalists said they feared the generated sound disorientated
the whales,causing them to 'go crazy' and, in effect,
commit suicide by beaching themselves.
The mammals use a form of sonar to navigate, hunt and communicate.
Dr John Pike, an expert with the Federation of American Scientists says:
'The United States and Britain are one country doing business at two locations.
'There was nothing novel or extraordinary about a UK presence at the
Bahamas testing.The two navies work very, very closely together."
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 05:41:18 -0500
From:globalvisionary@cybernaute.com (jean hudon)
Subject: THE DESTRUCTION OF OCEAN LIFE CONTINUES UNABATED: "BEWARE, THE
BEACHED CANARIES"
What Stranded Dolphins and Whales are Trying to Tell
us About a Global Emergency Beneath the Sea + 12 beaked whales, 1 minke
whale, 1 dolphin, and 1 unidentified balaenopterid just died in the
Bahamas because of US Navy military "exercises" + What Else Aren't We
Hearing About?
Hello everyone
Here is again an issue whose extreme gravity should warrant lots of
media attention and concerted actions to prevent further destruction of
life in our oceans.
I hope you can make time to review this and take some meaningful action...
Jean Hudon Earth Rainbow Network Coordinator
The Earth Rainbow Network
"BEWARE, THE BEACHED CANARIES*"
What Stranded Dolphins and Whales are
Trying to Tell us About a Global Emergency Beneath the Sea"
By Bobbie Sandoz, MSW - Author/Therapist/Columnist/Speaker
(*The death of canaries taken into coal mines warned the miners of
trouble below.)
In the last few months, hundreds of dolphins are washing up dead along
European shores while dolphins and whales are again playing with people
in Hawaii after two years of ignoring them following our government
sonifying these high level beings in their own Marine Sanctuary. This
grateful return of their friendliness toward humans in Hawaii is clearly
an act of forgiving the unforgivable. In January, hundreds of dolphins
stranded along our eastern coast, while a superpod of orcas off
California circled a group of boats to flirt and play with the people
aboard, then remained afloat on the surface as the sun set on their
fins. A similar contrast occurred last summer when a group of San Juan
Orcas appeared in time to appreciate a human concert given in their
honor, showing particular interest in Amazing Grace, or forgiveness
without merit, while hundreds of their gray whale cousins washed up dead
on west coast shores.
Although these events contribute to an uneasy yet growing pattern of
marine mammal strandings juxtaposed to their kindness to us, there has
been little media coverage of this disturbing phenomenon or a true
investigation of why it is happening. Are we so indifferent that we
don't really care or is there a massive cover-up....or both?
To add to the disquiet of these events, independent scientists strongly
disagree with government-funded "experts" on the true effect of an
extremely intense and apparently lethal force going into the ocean
called low frequency active sonar (LFAS) that appears to be leaving a
trail of corpses in its path. Yet, in spite of the controversy over its
safety, our government is pushing forward to deploy this risky
technology in 80% of the world's oceans in an apparent effort to get it
underway before the public learns more about it.
Will we remain cooperatively in denial, uninformed, and dangerously
silent in the face of this potential planetary holocaust as we have in
the past, or will we awaken in time to stop this serious threat to all
marine life? And, if we fail to respond, what will the consequences be
for our own survival and souls?
In view of a possible cover-up buttressed by our indifference, could it
be that the intelligent dolphins and whales are making their way to our
public and popular shores before dying in order to serve as "beached
canaries" that warn of something amiss in their hidden world beneath the
sea? If so, will their massive deaths at our feet pull us out of deep
moral slumber or fall on the cold hearts of an uncaring species? **The
LFAS Story** Following a brief yet troubled period of LFAS testing at
levels far below those planned for actual use that resulted in trauma
and death, this reckless technology is in the process of being pushed
toward premature deployment in 80% of the world's oceans.
Sadly, slick propaganda programs dispensed by in-house "experts" have
succeeded in convincing a slumbering media and uninformed populous that
the dolphins and whales are unaffected by intensely explosive blasts
ripping through their ocean home with sustained intensity for hundreds
of miles, causing damage and death in their wake.
Thus, in contrast to government claims of safety, outraged boat
captains, swimmers, independent researchers, and environmentalists have
observed this technology to be highly disruptive and deadly to marine
life, even at the considerably lower decibels used during brief public
testing than those planned for actual extensive and classified use.
Even more frustrating, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
established to protect marine life, appears to be aligned with the
government-funded "experts" promoting LFAS. They also appear to be
ignoring required protocol in order to prematurely slip the U.S. Navy a
permit to harass and kill whales which will serve as the green light
needed to unleash this risky technology into full and unfettered,
classified deployment.
Eerily, the NMFS is also the organization assigned to oversee the
testing done on the "beached canaries" stranding on our shores. Yet,
while they publicly serve as the protector of marine life, behind the
scenes they seem to prefer keeping these strandings in the category of
an "unsolved mystery" to risking discovery of a possible connection to
sonar exposure by checking their ears for rupture or their tissue for
signs of explosion and shredding. Instead of conducting these revealing
tests, they offer vague explanations that don't hold up, while focusing
their search for answers solely on viruses, red tides, and other toxic
algae that were neither in the problem areas nor have caused this kind
of cetacean carnage in the past. In view of this seeming bias in favor
of LFAS and the dual role it creates for the NMFS, should they ever
concede to test the ears or tissue of stranded marine corpses for sonar
exposure, the public would be wise to insist that non government-funded
and independent researchers bear witness to their exams.
It's also important to notice that the brain and tissue fissures,
lesions, and ruptures as well as mass starvation consistently found in
these and other recent marine mammal corpses resemble the symptoms of
sonar exposure described by the Marine Mammal Commission when in 1997
they predicted that lung and tissue hemorrhage and trauma in marine
mammals (and fish) as well as cavity explosion and hearing loss causing
subsequent starvation was likely to occur if LFAS was employed worldwide
as proposed.
So why is the connection between these known symptoms of sonar exposure
(similar to microwave explosions) and those found in stranded marine
mammal corpses being ignored -- especially when sonar activities are
rumored to be taking place in several of the affected areas?
And, now that we are on the brink of full deployment of this unexamined
force, will the American public awaken in time to make the connection,
check its validity, and if there is a connection, stop the madness? Or,
will we remain drugged by our usual denial and the silence of fear and
apathy as we have during other holocausts at human hands, enabling yet
more government crimes against nature and others as well as ourselves?
Could this be the pivotal point at which humans decide if we will
orchestrate our own self-destruction with our typically passive response
to impersonal government actions or rally as caring individuals in time
to uncover the path of our more conscious, courageous, and higher selves
as well as a safe and golden future for our world, ourselves, our
children, and our grandchildren?
I was pondering these questions one day as I swam in a bay amidst 50
dolphins who approached and circled me, then stayed to play for over an
hour. I was surprised by their visit in view of my mood, since they
usually avoid me when my thoughts are weighty. But, on this particular
day they swam near me to play, show off their babies, and engage me in
beguiling and flirty gazes. I reflected on my decade of friendship with
these high- level beings and the notable lessons I had learned from them
that I had not learned from humans about how to be a more loving and
joyful human being.
I wondered as I swam if my species would have the wisdom to allow the
sweet grace of these bright and loving beings to serve as mirrors
reflecting our need to seek a higher place in ourselves where we might
act as kindly toward others as cetaceans do. I also thought of the
American Indian elders predicting that whatever happens to "the great
beast" -- or whale -- will also happen to humanity, and I wondered which
fork in the road of our forecasted futures we would take -- the
Apocalypse or golden age.
Then it occurred to me that as humanity stands at the portal of the new
millennium, it is in our power to select which road we will travel. We
can continue to kill the saints and sages in our midst or change the
course of human history by surrendering our self-centered ways to their
more lofty and loving teachings.
Yet before we can claim this higher potential, we must address what kind
of species we truly want to be and which future we wish to create. We
must then commit to becoming and creating whatever we choose. I also
realized that to succeed in doing this we need look no further than to
the model of loving kindness the dolphins and whales offer or the
manifesting tools the dolphins revealed to me in "Listening to Wild
Dolphins" which I have woven into my suggestions for how we can respond
to the LFAS challenge.
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
PATTERN OF
STRANDINGS THAT MAY LINK TO LFAS ACTIVITY:
* EUROPE - In February, 2000, 100s of dolphins began washing up on
European shores.
* THE ATLANTIC COASTLINE - On January 21, 2000, Katie Couric asked on
"The Today Show" why hundreds of dolphins are beaching along the
Atlantic coastline. Although brain and other tissue lesions have been
found in these cetaceans, one of the symptoms predicted by the Marine
Mammal Commission in 1997 for LFAS exposure, ears are not being checked.
In view of the far-reaching effect of sonar exposure predicted by
independent researchers, some suspect apparent NATO sonar in the general
area may be the cause.
* FLORIDA - On January 3, 2000, Associated Press reported that
scientists were trying to determine why dolphins have been washing up
dead on northwest Florida shores over the last month. Although a
previously severe outbreak of red tide did not kill dolphins, it appears
that only red tide and other toxins are being examined as a possible
cause, rather than also include an examination of their ear canals to
prove or disprove the important variable of possible sonar exposure.
* THE VIRGIN ISLANDS - In early October, 1999, scientists in the water
heard sonar sounds, followed by multiple cetacean strandings in the
area. Government-funded ear canal testing expert Dr. Darlene Ketten from
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, was summoned by many groups to run
ear canal tests, but results have not yet been revealed. If they are,
citizens must determine if anyone other than government-funded
scientists were present in order to neutralize any conflicts ofinterest.
* THE CANARY ISLANDS - A total of 21 whale strandings in 1985, 1988, and
1989 were linked to visible US Navy maneuvers. These were the only times
that whales were reported to strand in the Canary Islands. (Nature,
1991) Award-winning French biologist Dr. Michael Andre, free from our
government's influence, learned from necropsies while studying the
decline in sperm whales in this area that two of the whales (who were
involved in the increasing whale collisions with boats in the area) were
deaf as suspected.
* THE ATLANTIC COAST - In 1987, dolphins exposed to 235 decibels of
sonar stranded and were found to suffer from tissue and lung explosion.
(This information was allegedly found by Dr. Joe Geraci and buried in
reports on file.) Since this revelation, there has been a great deal of
resistance to obtaining autopsies that check for these types of
problems, also predicted by the Marine Mammal Commission in 1997
(possibly based on Dr. Geraci's findings) to be a consequence of LFAS.
* THE HARO STRAIT, SAN JUAN ISLANDS - In the Summer of 1996, 195
decibels were sent into this key waterway used by orcas, porpoises,
seals, and other mammals, followed by an increase in strandings of these
mammals. ABC News recently reported that the previously thriving orca
population from this area is now in enough trouble to be considered
eligible for the Endangered Species list.
* THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA NEAR GREECE - In 1996, twelve Cuvier's beaked
whales documented to be exposed to NATO sonar at 150-160 decibels were
found stranded. At the same time about 200 stranded dolphins were
suspected of suffering from tissue explosion. (Nature, 1996) LFAS levels
to be used by the U.S. are reported to be 180 decibels in areas near
shore and could go considerably higher, once deployment is underway and
this program is classified.
* THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS - In 1998, three whale calves and one dolphin
calf were found dead or abandoned during and immediately following sonar
testing, even though in 15 years of research this phenomenon had never
been observed. One of these was a distressed whale calf who breached 230
times and pectoral slapped 658 times in front of Dr. Marsha Green's
research team in a four-hour period before the sun set on his distress.
In addition, a pod of dolphins was observed by naturalists familiar with
normal dolphin behavior huddling unusually close to the shore near the
surface and vocalizing excessively while the sound was on.
* CALIFORNIA- Since the open testing in California began in 1997, sonar
exposed whales immediately began to strand in increased numbers. In
addition, there was a report of uncharacteristically aggressive behavior
which is known to be a symptom of LFAS exposure. More recently, The
Malibu Times reported in January, 1999, that more than 150 gray whales
were found dead due to starvation along their migratory route where
testing took place in 1998. Starvation can be a result of deafness, but
ears were not checked in these cetaceans, even though the cause of death
has remained a mystery.
* AUSTRALIA - Rumor has it that the Australian government has questioned
a connection between observed US Navy and NATO maneuvering and
strandings off their shores.
* UNKNOWN - In view of indications that brain and body tissue explodes
and body cavities (bladders, lungs, and ear canals) rupture when exposed
to sonar blasts, it is plausible to assume that most affected marine
mammals will sink to the ocean floor, rather than make their way to a
beach in order for us to view their plight. And who knows what the
effect this risky technology has on the thousands of other, smaller
forms of marine life, less able to withstand such a powerful force.***
For More Information and Evidence of LFAS Problems
*GENERAL INFORMATION
Listen to LFAS ViewpointsSEE OVER 300 LINKS AT THIS SITE!
The Ocean Mammal Institute
Natural Resources Defense Council
*LEGAL INFORMATION AND CURRENT LAWSUIT AGAINST THE US NAVY
The SURTASS LFA Threat
*TECHNICAL INFORMATION
LFAS Update Web Page
*ASK YOUR LOCAL ABC AFFILIATE TV STATION TO AIR: "WHEN THE WHALES STOP
SINGING"
This excellent news special report on the Navy's Low Frequency
Active Sonar (LFAS) was filmed by Dan Noyes of KGO TV News: ABC TV in
San Francisco. Ask your ABC station manager to call KGO News in San
Francisco to request a copy of this two part special to air in your
vicinity. KGO News has agreed to send out copies of this video to other
ABC stations, and to give them permission to air it. It is a short
video, only 10 minutes long, and can be run as part of a news program.***
INTERVIEW AUTHOR AND PANEL OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS ON LFAS who sincerely
hope they are wrong about their concerns regarding the potential danger
of LFAS, but believe people should know what they have uncovered in the
event they are not wrong: Dr. Marsha Green (OMI/Marine Biologist/
Professor) 610-670-7386 Lanny Sinkin (Attorney) 808-961-9100 Dr. Lee
Tepley (Physicist) 650-961-7440 Dr. Linda Weilgart (Independent Marine
Biologist) 902-479-1861 Cheryl Magill (LFAS Activist) 650-429-2116
Bobbie Sandoz, MSW (Author) - 808-524-6775 Dr. Naomi Rose, (Director,
Humane Society of the United States - HSUS)
WAYS TO RESPOND
*We must first face the seriousness of the threat LFAS poses to marine
life and ourselves. For only then, will we break our silence and engage
in clear but gentle action with the urgency this issue deserves.
*We must then let our Congressional representative, ultimately
responsible for this program, know of its possible consequences and
insist that they stop all forward movement of this program until it can
be proven that it will not cause the massive destruction concerned
non-government scientists and citizens fear.
*We must then insist on extensive and highly monitored necropsies of
currently stranded mammals, including full ear exams -- since such tests
could expose possible sonar exposure. Only by having this information
will we know if the sonar technology is connected to these deaths as
many environmentalists suspect.
*We must then insist that the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS)
halt all movement toward deployment of this unexamined power.
*We must demand that the possibility of a conflict of interest on the
part of NMFS be seriously scrutinized in view of their apparent bias and
seeming partnership with the U.S. Navy in this risky government
operation they have been charged with overseeing.
*We must send copies of all correspondence on this and other protests to
the media, our president, and congressional representatives -- since
such letters give witness to our concerns and constitute our greatest
power to influence or reverse government decisions we do not approve.
*Some, including myself, will view this issue as important enough to
organize a peacefully powerful march in Washington since visibility and
numbers are imperative to change in this country.
*Hopefully, responsible media will invite the listed panel of
independent experts who have uncovered evidence that points to
potentially serious and illegal errors and omissions made in the process
of testing and activating this technology they consider far more
dangerous than claimed.
*Teachers may wish to introduce this topic in their classrooms and
invite students to uncover, lobby for, and implement solutions. In doing
this, we enlist the spirits and insights of this national treasure to
help us become our best selves while teaching the art of kindness,
cooperation, and friendship with our global family.
*Those aligned with
spirit can inspire continuous prayer for all concerned -- including
those in control of this formidable technology who genuinely believe in
its merits and their right to employ it without sincerely inviting the
public's awareness, opinion, or approval. Hopefully, clergy of all
faiths will be moved to hold prayer vigils to bring this matter to a
unifying, loving, and safe resolution. Although everyone was surprised
that we moved through the millennium without incident, few noted a
possible connection between this unexpected peace to a massive and
powerful prayer vigil organized by Marianne Williamson and James Redfield.
*Many will want to participate by using one of the manifesting tools I
learned from the dolphins for creating the world we desire. To do this
we need to identify exactly what we want instead of what we don't want
and then place all of our energies, prayers, and focus on drawing that
picture to us. This focus becomes even more powerful if we unite our
combined energies as the dolphins do to create a large and harmonious
group holding a common dream with love and joy in our hearts.*****
If we succeed in gathering together a large enough group to lovingly
concentrate our intention on this dream until it is fulfilled, we will
discover a power beyond anything we have yet witnessed on this planet.
And once we learn to do it, we will no longer feel the need to quarrel
and fight among ourselves and against others -- or develop weapons
considerably more dangerous than the "enemies" we fear.
Nor will we continue to allow our businesses, government, or military to
treat us like children, while excluding us from the management of our
lives, our country, and our world as they fund and implement plans
without our knowledge or permission. Once we exercise the power of our
own voices and visions to reclaim self-governance, we will no longer
view big business interests or our government and military as separate
from ourselves or dangerous to our lives or planet.
How perfect that we can use this unique yet effective manifesting tool
the dolphins have shown us to safely return their ocean home to them and
self-governance to ourselves. Let's experience this radical new power by
taking our first steps on the path to a better future and the world of
our dreams.
Author: Bobbie Sandoz March, 2000 Phone: 808-524-6775 Fax: 808-538-0423
Bobbie Sandoz
AVAILABLE FOR RADIO AND TV INTERVIEWS Author Bobbie Sandoz (Listening to
Wild Dolphins) and a panel of non-government experts can expose
potentially dangerous problems connected to Risky Sonar Technology.
Bobbie's most recent book is "Listening to Wild Dolphins, Learning Their
Secrets for Living with Joy"
As for lodging a formal protest, you can always contact your political
representatives...If you know your Zip code, you can find them at
Zip To It or you can search by
state at
Congressional Email Directory You
can also find your representatives at
Capitol Comment
but it is very unlikely that it will give any result, unless you go meet
them in person and make sure they are aware of your concern.
Anyway we CAN make a difference if we keep working at it and allow our
inner guidance to show us the best path of action available.
Love and blessings
Jean
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meditate upon the Cetaceans, to acknowledge their service to
humanity and to Earth, and to send them our love energy.
Monthly Cetacean Meditation
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