Monster buck "Goliath" has died at the age of seven.  He was stolen, then recently returned to his home.  Most whitetails live from ten and fifteen years.  His owner, Diane Miller, believes the stress of being stolen and the shifting from one place to another played a role in the death of the buck.

Before my page changed, I had blogged about the "lost" whale.  I can't get the image of this whale out of my head.  Like something out of The Deep Range, the whale has roamed the Pacific for twelve years--all by itself.  There is no other whale with a similar song.  There is no other whale using the same pitch.  This giant baleen whale, of unknown species, is either the last of its kind or the first of it's kind; a possible hybrid of other baleens.

But think about this for a moment.  This animal is truly alone.  It doesn't sound like anyone else out there, it probably doesn't look like all the other whales out there, it doesn't even follow a known whale migration path.  Whales are intelligent, emotional creatures.  What must this whale think of a world where it is so alone?

Is it possible to locate this animal using a replay of it's own song?  If we did locate it, what would we find?  Animals that have been isolated from birth are usually anti-social--but this animal hasn't just been isolated, it is the only member of it's kind. There hasn't been anyone available for it to be social with. 

If this is a different species and not a hybrid, wouldn't it be in the best interest of science if we at least got a genetic sample?  Then, if it ends up as a "scientific sample" taken by the Japanese and eaten, at least we might be able to figure out what to call their dinner course.  (I love the Japanese and most of their culture.  But I hate how they treat marine mammals.)

The lonely, singing giant cruising through the blue waters of the cold Pacific must see many majestic and wonderful things in it's travels.  It is sad that it has never met another life like its own to share the trip. 

Any guesss where they will end up?  In FRANCE.  The ASPCA (secure link) sent an action memo about an amendment added to the omnibus budget bill by Senator Conrad Burns of Montana that would allow the rounding up and sale of wild horses and burros for slaughter.

Please write, email, or call your congressperson and voice your disapproval of this measure.