Whale Sharks are said to save lives apparently. That may be an over-exaggeration but I will agree that Whale Sharks are helping people, especially in Donsol, Philippines where the Whale Sharks are from. Dave Duran (camera man and diver) went to go study these fairly unknown sharks. Whale Sharks are closely monitored in Donsol: " 6 tourists per boat, 1 boat per whale shark, and no more than 30 boats in the water at a time". The article said that in some places the Whale Shark fins sell for $800! Their meat is rare and expensive. Eco-tourism has changed everyone's life in Donsol. Alan, who lives in Donsol and shows the Whale Sharks said he used to have to "drive a tricycle taxi, work construction and playing guitar at bars to make ends meet. Now he makes six times what he used to." He, along with many of the other people from Donsol that show tourists the sharks now have enough money to send their children to University when they never thoguht that would be possible. Dave's videos caused the Philippine government to issue 'a ban on fishing whale sharks.' So I guess this video helped save animals lives and changed the residents of Donsols lives.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/06/04/eco.whale.shark/index.html?hpt=C2
In similar news, the oil spill obviously devastated the land but also the water and the animals. Pictures of the oiled birds that were captured in Grande Isle, Louisiana have been all over the news. As of yesterday, the International Bird Rescue Research Center has captured 177 live birds and is cleaning and feeding them. Some of the birds haven't eaten in days and are in critical condition. They too are trying to raise awareness like Dave did for the Whale Sharks to help save animals. The International Bird Rescue Research Center has a facebook group so animal lovers can follow the updated progress and help by donating. I think they are both great causes and that reaching people through facebook is a very smart move because young people especially check facebook a million times more than they would read about the birds in a newspaper.
This was a really cool post. I definitely agree with your nod at facebook, its amazing how much of an audience you can reach. Also your pictures are excellent!
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