Today’s story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is complete.
Will Falcon, aka Vitaly Sokol, CC license
Dominica to Create World’s First Sperm Whale Reserve–for the 200 That Call the Island Home
Sperm whales are the ocean’s greatest nomads, but one island in the Caribbean is creating a permanent home for them.
A roughly 300 square mile patch of ocean in the territorial waters of Dominica is the only place known on Earth where sperm whales can be seen regularly throughout the year when they arrive to breed, and it’s here that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of the island nation has established the world’s first sperm whale reserve.
“The 200 or so sperm whales that call our sea home are prized citizens of Dominica,” Mr. Skerrit said.
“Their ancestors likely inhabited Dominica before humans arrived. We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy.”
The marine reserve covers 800 square kilometers for those using metric, an area where commercial shipping and fishing will be forbidden from entering. Large ships can harm sperm whales, but smaller vessels, designated in the law as artisanal fishing, will be permitted inside the reserve, provided their methods do not harm the whales.
Sperm whales have the biggest teeth in the animal kingdom. They also have the biggest brains and can pass down a unique cetacean culture that includes dialects of their clicking language.
Tourists will be able to view and swim with the creatures in sustainable numbers, BBC reports.
The good news is a country takes its animal citizens seriously and has taken measures to protect them. Today’s JohnKu wonders about the rest of the world. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Citizen Animals by John W. Howell © 2023
Dominica cares,
To protect its citizens . . .
Will you join in, too?
Fiction Favorites 
Good find, John. News to me. I had no idea they have the biggest teeth.
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Me either, Frank. 😬
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Nice story. Would you swim with the whales, John?
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Nope. A little too big for me. 😁
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I saw this on the news and it made me smile. Thanks so much for spreading the good news, John. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs 🤗💕🙂
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You as well, Harmony. Thank you.
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That’s a cool story. Most of these creatures have had a hard road back, but they are making progress.
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Till someone decides they would go well with a nice Chianti.
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🤔 they might. I was thinking more of a pina colada served in a whale tooth.
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With deep fried blubber
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Yum.
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Tastes like chicken.
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A whale of a great idea! ❤
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😁
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I remember watching a show on sperm whales. They are fascinating creatures. Thanks for sharing this story, John!
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They are, Jill. Thank you.
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Very awesome. Though I can’t help but think of Moby Dick when I hear about sperm whales.
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Me too.
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That is good news, John.
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Thanks, Joan.
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Good question, dear John! I’m happy for the whales & for the fact that more people become responsible in front of the nature.🍻🍤🍤🍤🙂
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Me too, Maria. Thank you.
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That’s sure good news, John. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
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My pleasure, Tim. Thank you for the kind message.
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This makes me so happy. 🙂
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I’m glad it does, Kymber.
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Wonderful story, John. Thank you for sharing. This is good news for all of us. 😊
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It really is, Gwen. Thank you. 😊
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That’s so awesome!
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It is, Deborah. Thanks.
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Wonderful to see these majestic critters being protected instead of killed! We need more such efforts. And now I want to go swim with the whales! Thanks for the uplift this morning, John!
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That is one thing I can pass on, Jill. Thanks.
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Wonderful news! All cetaceans deserve our love and respect.
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They do. Thanks, Sue.
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Good for Dominica and the whales!
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I agree.
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Everybody needs a home — glad these guys are getting one!
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It is nice to hear.
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This is just fabulous! I would love to swim with them!
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Um.. Maybe for you. I’ll pass.
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I checked out the tour to do that in Domenica – $6K per person for a week. Pricey,
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Beside those guys are huge
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Heartwarming good news, John. And I love the JohnKu!
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Thank you, Jan.
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I love that the whales are considered citizens!
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I liked that too.
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The world needs to listen and to emulate.
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I agree..
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Good news, indeed, John! Thanks so much for sharing something GOOD that people are doing. (What a change from the “normal” daily news of late.) And what a truly wonderful thing these folks are doing, too. Whales are absolutely amazing, and I’m so happy these steps are being taken to protect this species. Thank you again for sharing exactly what I needed to read this morning. 😀 ❤
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I’m glad it gave you some relief from world events. We all need that for sure. Thanks, Marcia.
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Wonderful!
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I agree, Jennie.
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All God’s creatures great and small deserve a chance.
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They do. I love that these guys are citizens of Dominica. Thanks, Pilgrim
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Me too Sheriff
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😊
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Love this!
As for your inquiring JohnKu; I wish Canada would take a more active role, instead of just reporting how many whales get tangled in cast off nets & other whale related insanity.
🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧 🐳𝓧
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Most everyone thinks it is someone else’s job. 🐋X 🐋X 🐋X 🐋X
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Right!
We can be very lazy, when we should be on the ball.
Our planet’s animals deserve way better by and large.
🌎✘ 🌍 ✘ 🌏✘
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🐅X 🐆X 🦓X 🐘X
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How wonderful is this? Very, I say! I love when countries do the right thing.
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