Australia Could Send Troops to Defend Whales

Who could forget Migaloo, the white whale in danger? The exceptional creature found celebrity as Australians and environmentalists campaigned to protect him from Japanese whaling fleets. Perhaps the only known white humpback in existence, Migaloo is a national treasure. Yet, given recent drama, some Australians fear Migaloo and his brethren are in serious trouble — making him a literary mashup, a whale Helen sought by a modern day Ahab.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd has said he may deploy Air and Navy Forces to prevent Japanese whaling ships from harming not just Migaloo, but close to 1,000 whales being targeted in the waters off Antarctica. Though many of the whales are endangered, some liberal party Australians fear, “sending in the troops” would harm delicate relations with Japan, Australia's second-biggest trade partner.

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