The research team, led by Dr. Scott Baker of Oregon State University, analyzed DNA from 99 whale meat products purchased in Japanese markets since 2006 and identified six baleen whale species: humpback, fin, sei, Bryde’s, North Pacific minke and Antarctic minke.  In the case of the fin whales, the study used methods similar to human forensic genetics to identify products from a total of 15 individual for sale in 2006 and 207. However, the Government of Japan reported a total of only13 fin whales killed under its scientific whaling program over the same period.

The railway line, which joins the holy city of Haridwar on the foothills of the Himalayas to the busy capital of the Uttarakhand state, Dehradun, had seen 20 elephant deaths, including those of tuskers and pregnant females, between 1987 and March 2002.

The report and the subsequent efforts by WTI-IFAW catalysed the Uttaranchal Forest Department and the Indian Railways to set up a coordination body that implemented the recommendations to ensure zero elephant deaths on this track since 2002.

In response to these developments, IFAW today is renewing its call for eBay, Inc. to institute a full and complete ban on all elephant ivory products worldwide.
 
“eBay’s affiliates in countries including Germany, Australia, France and China have virtually eliminated the illegal ivory trade on their Web sites thanks to severe restrictions and outright bans, ” said Jeff Flocken, IFAW’s Washington, DC, Office Director.

While the exact circumstances and status of the shipments remains unclear, the export of fin and minke whale meat to Japan appears to have taken place without the knowledge or authorisation of relevant Icelandic, Norwegian and Japanese authorities according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
 
Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK, said: “We are still working to establish the facts in this particular case, but attempts by anyone to circumvent the relevant authorities and regulations to resuscitate the international trade in whale meat has very grav

The satellite technology transmits regular signals from the bear’s collar allowing researchers to follow them remotely and download information about their movements and whereabouts via internet updates three times a week. The collar is programmed to record information about the animal’s location every 90 minutes and to automatically drop-off after a period of 18 months.
 
“The bears are in good condition after their hibernation in their self-made wintering den. They are being released in spring now when they have access to good forage in the wild.