In December of 1999, we received a pile of newsletters from the Elsa Nature Conservancy, our sister organization in Japan. Unfortunately, the newsletters are written in Japanese making it a bit difficult to know the details of what Elsa is up to, but we are very encouraged by the English language summaries that were available for a few of the newsletters.

The Elsa Nature Conservancy was established in 1976 with the aim of global nature and environmental protection across a broad spectrum from one's own doorstep to the sky. Elsa has campaigned for the protection of endangered animals. They have been active in criticizing zoos, safari parks, and aquariums. While the organization sets forth grand ideals, individual members are encouraged to carry out their own modest but diligent activities.

Among the stories in the Elsa newsletter:

Cetacean Exhibits at Japanese Aquariums Are Protested

Elsa president Eiji Fujiwara reports that for several years his organization has been active in trying to stop the Nagoya Port Aquarium from plans to bring orcas, belugas, and bottlenose dolphins into their new tanks. A petition was sent to the Nagoya Port Aquarium, the Taiji Whale Museum, and to the Oarai Aquarium, which is collecting sharks and dolphins for a new facility they plan to open in 2002. The petition stated the organization's opposition to the capture and display of wild whales and dolphins in aquariums, and respectfully requested that the aquariums not only abandon their plans to add wild cetaceans to their collections, but also that the aquariums consider returning cetaceans already being kept there to their natural habitats.

The petition further states reasons for the request, citing the cruelty of keeping wild cetaceans away from family groups in unnatural conditions. It notes that captivity will shorten the lives of cetaceans accustomed to forming their own societies and swimming over a wide range. Captive cetaceans at aquariums do not demonstrate their true wild nature. To display captive cetaceans and pretend that their exhibited behavior is natural is not educational, in that it spreads misunderstanding about the creatures and perpetuates the myth that humans can treat animals in any way that they choose.

Capturing wild animals, the petition goes on to say, causes major problems to those animals that remain in the wild, adversely affecting the ecosystem. Irresponsible capture can contribute to the extinction of the species. The petition concludes by noting that the aquariums' stated policy and claim is that they promote the conservation of species.

Of special interest to CSI is a note that the Nagoya aquarium is negotiating with the Miami Seaquarium in Florida for the purchase of an orca named Lolita. Conservation groups have been campaigning for Lolita's release into the wild. There is fear that the Seaquarium will find it more profitable to sell Lolita to the Japanese aquariums than to release her to the wild.

A Solitary Dolphin in the Red Sea

An article tells of a female dolphin which has captured the hearts of people living along the Red Sea in the eastern Sinai of Egypt. The solitary dolphin showed up roughly five years ago and was affectionately named Oline by the locals. After she befriended the fisher folk of a local Bedouin tribe, word got around, attracting visitors from around the world. This provided the historically poor Bedouins with an opportunity to develop businesses around the tourism. Oline was considered a gift from Allah by the locals.

In December of 1996 Oline gave birth to a male calf. Sadly, the calf died the following March. The cause of the calf's death is unknown. The article notes that Oline is pregnant again, indicating that she is in contact with other dolphins. All wish her and her offspring well.

Mother Dolphin and Calf off Toshima

Since 1995 a dolphin has been living in the sea off the island of Toshima and has become familiar with the islanders, fisher folk, and divers there. In 1998, she gave birth to a calf. The villagers have been working to protect both the mother and calf, going so far as to register them as residents of the island. The mother was named Koko, the calf Piko.

All is not well, however, as fishing concerns based on the nearby islands of Ni-jima and Shikine-jima are claiming that they have the right to fish off of Toshima. Since the Ni-jima concerns use huge nets, which can trap and drown dolphins, Toshima islanders are fearing for Koko and Piko's lives. Elsa is helping the Toshima islanders in their efforts to protect the two dolphins.

The article noted that Mr. Shinsaku Tomita, the village chief in Toshima, received a letter from the 7th annual Whales Alive Conference thanking him for his cooperation and efforts to protect Koko and Piko.