Iceland has now killed at least 11 fin whales this summer, the second-largest animal on Earth, for meat almost no one eats.
After two years without a hunt, commercial whaling resumed in June. The season’s quota is up to 150 fin whales, a vulnerable species that has still not recovered from a century of commercial whaling.
One of the whales killed was a pregnant mother, along with her unborn calf.
The deaths are rarely quick. Iceland’s Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) documented one whale taking 31 minutes to die after being struck by four exploding harpoons. Previous investigations have also found whales taking up to two hours to die.
And it’s for almost nothing. Icelanders rarely eat fin whale. Most of the meat is exported to Japan, where much of it remains frozen and unsold. Whale watching generates far more value for Iceland’s economy than whaling ever has.
The Icelandic government has pledged to introduce legislation to end commercial whaling, but this season’s hunt is still going ahead.
[Source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation / Oceanographic (June 30, 2026).]
A tiny herd of 4 elephants in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape. Such small herds are usually uncommon, either the bigger herd is nearby or they’ve been separated from the main herd.
Say what you want but this experience confirmed it : harassment doesn’t care how you look, what you wear or what race you are. NO woman exaggerates what she went through. It’s time the shame switched sides.