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Scientists Disentangle Whale From Perilous Plastic

Scientists Disentangle Whale From Perilous Plastic

Most plastic bags have suffocation warnings on them, but that's no good for whales who can't read them.

Vets from Argentina's Patagonian National Center (CENPAT) had to remove a giant plastic bag that could have suffocated a whale who was apparently "playing" — or, rather, struggling — with it, in waters off Puerto Madryn, Clarín reports.

Plastic bags have become a veritable ocean plague in recent decades, and frequently suffocate sea life who become entangled with them or ingest them.

CENPAT vet Carla Fiorito had been taking marine samples from a boat when she noticed a whale diving in and out of the sea with its head covered by a bag or plastic sheet. Staff on the CENPAT boat approached to remove it from the whale's head, and the southern right whale was said to have remained unphased by the incident and continued its "languid" movements.

Whales congregate in these waters from May to December for reproduction and have become one of the area's primary tourist attractions. Unfortunately, they do often come into contact with man-made objects such as bags or nets,Clarín reports.

Photo: garrettc via Flickr

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Society

Is Disney's "Wish" Spreading A Subtle Anti-Christian Message To Kids?

Disney's new movie "Wish" is being touted as a new children's blockbuster to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. But some Christians may see the portrayal of the villain as God-like and turning wishes into prayers as the ultimate denial of the true message of Christmas.

photo of a kid running out of a church

For the Christmas holiday season?

Joseph Holmes

Christians have always had a love-hate relationship with Disney since I can remember. Growing up in the Christian culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, all the Christian parents I knew loved watching Disney movies with their kids – but have always had an uncomfortable relationship with some of its messages. It was due to the constant Disney tropes of “follow your heart philosophy” and “junior knows best” disdain for authority figures like parents that angered so many. Even so, most Christians felt the benefits had outweighed the costs.

That all seems to have changed as of late, with Disney being hit more and more by claims from conservatives (including Christian conservatives) that Disney is pushing more and more radical progressive social agendas, This has coincided with a steep drop at the box office for Disney.

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