The Caribbean Animal Welfare Association (CAWA) has noted with tremendous satisfaction, the stories which recently appeared in the Guyanese print media of valiant efforts by many concerned organisations and individuals to save a beached whale on the remote Shell Beach in Northwest District, Guyana. Although the whale remains unidentified, it was described as measuring about 36 feet, which suggests that it most likely is one of the baleen whales which visit the waters in this part of the world.

That the whale eventually died despite all the attempts made to return it to the Atlantic Ocean does not in any way diminish the significance of this story. For it must be remembered that not so long ago, a beached whale would be seen as an object for immediate disposal and meat for the table. This turn of events to steer the beached whale back to safety in the waters of the Atlantic, signals a change of attitude and cultural behaviours which environmentalists have long recognised as essential ingredients in achieving our conservation goals.

CAWA wishes to recognise all parties concerned and express commendations to the 80 people involved, including community persons, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Defence Force. The prompt response to an animal in distress is exactly what CAWA hopes to promote throughout the region of its influence.
CAWA