Save the Albatross (Migration race)

dx

dx

1
janiedriver said:
They look a lot like seagulls.
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Not far off Janie. Albatross are cousins to the seagull.

I had the opportunity to see and study a colony of these rare birds for a semester about 10 years ago in Dunedin, New Zealand... http://www.albatross.org.nz/ . They are quite amazing to look at and beautiful in flight. They are much larger than seagulls and have a 3 meter wingspan! They live long lives, almost human lifespans (about 50-60 years is not unheard of) and are quite intelligent. They are very elusive, don't like to be around humans or other animals, and are very fussy about their practices... ie, they hated the satellite transmitters.

What really annoys me here is the so-called environmentalists who masquerade around these issues. They say they are “saving the albatross,” but then turn right around and satellite tag them so they could bet on them in a "celebrity-backed race." It's rather interesting that all seventeen of the tagged albatrosses are believed to have perished. The migration would have involved around a hundred birds, if it was a normal colony. Did the entire migration perish or just these birds? Sorry folks, but something smells "fishy" here to me. :mad:
 
janiedriver

janiedriver

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Very good points dx. You must know quite a bit about them. It would be interesting to find out the answers to your questions.
 
dx

dx

1
janiedriver said:
Very good points dx. You must know quite a bit about them. It would be interesting to find out the answers to your questions.
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It was a class (one of many), while I was at the University of Otago. It was an opportunity to study abroad. I lived there when I was a kid, so it was natural for me to return. Plus I have family down there.

I had the opportunity to take care and study them. But the conservancy was very careful on how to treat the birds and respect their privacy. It's actually against the law to disturb them... which I think was good. These birds like their privacy and we did just that.

It was a great experience that I will never forget. :cool:
 
janiedriver

janiedriver

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It sounds like it was great! In Maine, you are not allowed to disturb moose. I am fairly certain it is even illegal to photograph them from a close range because it makes them nervous.
 
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