Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Welcome 2007, the Year of the Dolphin

January 02, 2007 - By Reuters
The UN Convention on Migratory Species has declared 2007 the Year of the
Dolphin.

Here are some key facts about dolphins:

* Dolphins are aquatic mammals believed to have evolved more than 10 million
years ago. The 40 species vary in size from 1.2 metres (4 ft) to 9.5 metres
(30 ft) and weigh from 40 kg to 10 tonnes. They are carnivores, eating
mainly fish and squid.

* Found worldwide in the shallow seas of the continental shelves, dolphins
are highly social and move in groups, called schools or pods, of about 20 to
several hundred.

* Breeding appears to have seasonal peaks in spring and autumn. Gestation
lasts 10 to 11 months and newborns are about one metre long. They reach
sexual maturity at three years old.

* Dolphins are considered to be among the most intelligent of animals. Greek
and Hindu mythologies portray them as being friendly to humans.

* Dolphins are reported to have been used for military purposes ranging from
finding undersea mines to rescuing trapped divers.

* Major threats to their survival include entanglement in fishing nets,
marine pollution, prey depletion and hunting.

* Scientists have developed an artificial insemination technique and ways of
freezing and transporting sperm for captive dolphins.

* The Year of the Dolphin will be part of the UN Decade on Education for
Sustainable Development. A campaign under Prince Albert II of Monaco,
involving non-governmental organisations and the private sector, has been
launched to protect them.

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