Right now, the whales are singing your praises.

Take a look at just a few of the victories you helped win at last week’s critical International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting:

* Your letters and contributions helped IFAW expose the corruption of Japan’s “aid-for-whaling votes” scandal. The story of Japan using development aid to recruit and influence small nations to vote pro-whaling was widely covered by international press – and hotly debated at the IWC itself.

* Japan’s proposal to abolish the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary was defeated by a wide margin. The Southern Ocean Sanctuary provides long-term protection to around three quarters of the world's remaining whales.

* The IWC agreed that the inherent cruelty of whaling is an issue that needs to be addressed. The IWC stated that cruelty from whaling can no longer be tolerated and action should be taken to stop it.

With you leading the way, the push to resume full-scale commercial whaling has failed — for now.

We have won this battle, but not the war. Japan and Norway will continue to push for higher whale catches and the destruction of sanctuaries. The vote buying must end – whales are not for sale. And we must convince countries like Iceland that whales are worth much more alive than dead.

Together as one, we can have more influence than the self interests of a select few. You’ve had a huge impact already, and the more we grow, the more we can ensure a future that benefits both animals and people without sacrificing our natural heritage.

So I want to thank you for all you’ve done … and urge you to continue your support. Last week is a great example of the difference you can make as part of a unified voice against animal cruelty, and I know you’ll be right there with me the rest of the way.


For the Animals,
Fred O’Regan
President and CEO