JANUARY 16, 2006
The
surf was up on the shore from Santa Monica to Malibu one lovely winter morning and the early commuters were treated
to a rare site. The usual number of human surfers in their black wetsuits were joined by four grey dolphins in a
display of surfing that makes world champion Kelly Slater envious. They caught wave after wave and the traffic came to a standstill as one of natures grand displays was in full sight.
Tom Santulli, of Earth Talk Today, had the opportunity to witness this gift from nature as he drove to work. I have lived on this coast since 1974 and have only witnessed this spectacle once. I have watched the pod of dolphins cruise the shoreline many times, feed in frenzied fashion often, but I have only witnessed them surfing once and that was in Santa Barbara many years ago.
A few years ago ETT hosted Dr. John Heyning of the Natural Museum of History in Los Angeles. When he was a guest on the show he told us that those same dolphins were contaminated with chemicals. Freely celebrating in their element, we look at their surfing in awe. Their grace, majesty, and jubilation is renown, but when they die they will be classified as toxic waste junk to be buried. I did not want Dr. John to tell us more, because a favorite sea creature of everyone, and a global indicator species was suffering the consequences of human caused pollution and this was happening around the globe.
Yet, if we are going to get a hold of this issue we need to know the truth, and the truth about the environment can set us free to actively support those people and institutions trying to make the changes so that the dolphins can surf forever. If you love dolphins get involved in learning about them and what they face today. Find a indicator species and become an expert so your voice can speak for they have no voice unless we give it to them.
Learn the truth about what is happening to your favorite places or species and the truth may set you free to change your own behavior.
--Peter