Coast Guard to examine evidence in whale harassment by local boaters and jet skis in the Playa Blanca Humedal protected area.

Whales and all cetaceans  are highly complex social creatures whose position underwater in relationship to each other is vital for survival. These organisms are not just hanging around waiting to be harassed, they are listening, hunting, fleeing, resting, and in general probably growing from the experiences around them as they pass on their guardianship to the next generation. They not only need the space but our own laws should serve us as very minimum guidelines, (what our common sense, long lost  for many, has told us all the time).

We must protect our right to Life in all its diversity in a healthy environment starting with our own behaviour. Environmentalists make the call and environmentalists with badges receive it.

In response to a complaint from onshore observers that jet skis and fishing boats were harassing a whale with its newborn calf the Commander said biologists in kayaks from the area would begin a vigil and all evidence would be analyzed.

Costa Rican Coast Guard officials were adamant about the need to provide safe distances for proper wildlife viewing in a recent phone conversation, stating, “Costa Rica has signed many treaties to protect wildlife in and out of the oceans and rivers and laws are in place to mobilize resources in their protection right now“.

Please follow the links for more in depth information.

 Youtube video links

See Whale observation rules for Environmental Protection here in Costa Rica

Hear what it sounds like to be a Whale in a boating environment

Graphics from NOAA and NMFS make it clear for all observers

Guardacostas information is here

NMFS is (1) prohibiting approaches within 200 yd (182.8 m) distance as outlined in the proposed rule; (2) implementing a ‘‘slow, no wake, safe speed’’ requirement within proximity of a humpback whale; 

NMFS es (1) enfoques que prohíbe
dentro de 200 m (182,8 m) distancia como se indica en la norma propuesta; (2) la implementación de un” A baja velocidad, sin oleaje ” requisito dentro proximidad de una ballena jorobada;

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The dark, damp cave seemed perfect for bats but I had to peek inside for a closer view, then out of a crevasse the vampire bat silently swooped down on me.

 Flying deftly around the dark cave the bat circles erratically to distract me from the females and young hanging overhead.

This is not just a Halloween character but a real resident of my coastal front yard.  I know how this furry flying mammal thinks and feels and I respect its space and urge to protect its family.  Silently I pay my respects, film and move out without to much stress to the little bats budding solitary colony.

How useful are bats to our lives? Google search link here

There are nearly 1,000 species of bats  ranging in size from the tiny bumble-bee bat of Thailand , to the vulture size Fox bats. Their diet consists primarily of insects, but some species eat nectar and fruits. The vampire bats drink the blood of other animals.

Bats contribute to and maintain biodiversity by enriching and replenishing forests  and  in pollinating and dispersing the seeds of fruit and nut trees. Literally thousands of economically important plants depend on nectar feeding bats for pollination of their flowers.

Bats are the only major predators of night flying insects. Guano from bats continues to be a major fertilizer in many countries.

Much more could be said about bats but realize that they are not flying rats or vermin to be mistreated when we find our un-maintained dwellings have “sprouted” a colony.

Bats are highly evolved, interesting and vital residents of the earth worthy of every effort to guard their well being. Learn, Love, Conserve CRNC cr nature