Latest fromWhales and Whaling

Washed up sperm whale set alight
A huge sperm whale has been torched and butchered after washing up on a beach in the Wairarapa.

Bethune 'downright ungrateful', says PM
John Key has called anti-whaling protester Pete Bethune "downright ungrateful" after he slammed the Government.

Bethune backs Sea Shepherd explanation for ban
Pete Bethune says he fully supports Sea Shepherd, despite the organisation "booting him out" during his trial in Japan.

Sea Shepherd did 'deal' with Japanese
A deal negotiated with the Japanese resulted in a suspended sentence for anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune, but means he won't be on the next Sea Shepherd protest.

Pete Bethune to be sentenced tomorrow
Reports say Pete Bethune's prosecution in Tokyo has demanded a two-year prison term.

Future of whaling hangs in the balance
The nations that make up the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meet next week to decide whether to allow whaling in Antarctic waters for the next decade.

How whale droppings could save the planet
Researchers estimate that the iron-rich faeces of sperm whales helps remove 400,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year.

<i>Yurika Arai:</i> Don't cast all Japanese as villains in whaling issue
Yurika Arai explains the Japanese attitude to whale meat.

Harpoon attack angers anti-whaling lobby
Conservationists want Australia to lead the anti-whaling charge at a major summit next week, in response to footage of a whale being hit by an exploding harpoon.

Prosecutors seek jail for Bethune
Japanese prosecutors are demanding two years jail for NZ anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune, on trial for assault and charges after the boarding of a harpoon ship in Antarctic waters.

Bemusement in Japan at Bethune's ban
Anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd banning NZ activist Pete Bethune has caused bemusement in Japan ahead of his last day of trial in Tokyo today.

Sea Shepherd ban to help Bethune, wife says
Sea Shepherd banned Kiwi anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune from future protests in an effort to help him avoid jail time.

Gotcha rival's sting harpoons host
An embarrassed TVNZ has been forced to apologise to viewers after it was duped into broadcasting a live-to-air interview with a fake pro-whaling lobbyist.

Detained anti-whaling activist kicked out of Sea Shepherd
Pete Bethune is axed from future Sea Shepherd anti-whaling protests for having a bow and arrows on board the sunken Ady Gil.

TVNZ's Henry falls prey to prankster
The state broadcaster has admitted it was duped by a prankster pretending to be a pro-whaling advocate.