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Blue whales top list of exotic pets across UAE
Campaign launched to clamp down on illegal ownership of endangered giant aquatic mammals
DUBAI: One of the world’s most influential animal rights charities has launched a new campaign to help stamp out a dramatic rise in the illegal wild animal trade in the UAE. But this time, it’s not baby tigers with diamante earrings that are the main focus of attention, but the latest endangered exotic pet trend – blue whales.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of blue whales being smuggled into the UAE and now residing in homes across the country,” World Wrestling Federation regional spokesman Dr Sal Amander told The Pan-Arabia Enquirer, speaking at the launch of the organisation’s new Free Willy campaign in Dubai this morning.
Dr Amander claimed that the surge in blue whales’ popularity had partially arisen from the “over saturation” in the market of exotic pets now considered common, such as African big cats, but also because of blue whale’s coveted ‘world’s biggest’ status.
Animal rights campaigners are concerned scenes like this will soon become commonplace across the UAE
Dr Amander said that with the help of local activists, the WWF had helped secure the release of eight blue whales living in captivity across the UAE.
“But we believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve heard numbers of at least 400 of these majestic mammals being held in captivity in villas and flats around the emirates.”
And she issued a stark warning to blue whale owners or anyone thinking of acquiring such an animal.
“It doesn’t matter how much you genuinely believe that you love and care for these creatures, the climate of the UAE and the basic facilities of most homes here are simply unsuitable for the health and wellbeing of blue whales,” she said.
“They may be cute and cuddly as baby calves, but once fully-grown they can reach up to 30 metres in length and need around 3,600 kilograms of krill each day to survive. And then of course there’s the issue of water, which most private swimming pools can’t accommodate.”
SHILPA
May 17, 2012 at 5:52 am
ITS DIGUSTING…..WILL THE AUTHORITY TAKE ACTIONS AGAINST OWNERS….WHO R VIPS….AS SUCH EXOTIC ANIMALS CAN NOT B FOUND IN HOMES OF NORMAL FAMILIES….
Mahmoud
May 17, 2012 at 8:47 am
I resent this campaign. Our blue whale is a cherished member of our family. We love splashing around in the paddling pool with him. We have even taught him to play fetch. Responsible owners can take care of blue whales with the proper training and they make great pets.
WWFcorrection
May 17, 2012 at 11:48 am
WWF is the World Wildlife Fund not the World Wrestling Federation – I mean seriously????
Katsui
May 17, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I living in UAE almos 5 years and work in japanese restaurant called Kampai. Very happy to take unwanted oversize whale pets from owners. Make customer very happy.
Anonymoustapha
May 17, 2012 at 1:38 pm
I hear that Jordan aka Katie Price owns one. If she has one then it’s not wrong, I want one too.
dbx
May 17, 2012 at 1:39 pm
We were “on the list” to get one of these whales. We were going to be the first in the neighbourhood to get one as we usually are with everything else coveted by the general public(hehe). The problem is that we want to make it even rarer if that’s possible and dye it pink because that’s my favorite color. I can’t wait.
Ting Cheong
May 17, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Oh blue whales are so yesterday. I’m the proud owner of one of the last remaining Yangste River Dolphins., recently declared ” functionally extinct” by the World Wrestling Federation. And it takes up less room in the pool, doesn’t need krill – we just toss in the odd stray cat.
Bonsai Blue Whale Dot Com
May 17, 2012 at 4:31 pm
We are pleasings to offer you the latest in Blue Whale offerings.
Want the biggest mammal on the planet without the hassle of it being, well, the biggest?
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Much like Bonsai Kitten website.
We can also mould bonsai blue whale to match your own design!
Imaging a bonsai blue whale in the shape of the Nakheel logo!
Wait, is there even a logo for Nakheel?
John SMith
May 18, 2012 at 1:58 am
I’ve just heard that this fad is actually over, unfortunately nobody told Qatar who just paid a World Record Billion Dollars for a Blue Whale.
When informed that the fad was over, the Qatari’s shot and killed the whale then refused to honor the contract.
A spokesman for the Blue Whales previous owner said he was “not surprised by Qatar’s actions”
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ebb
May 22, 2012 at 6:09 am
This is nonsense! These blue whales are not only treasured family pets, but deterrents to crime, such as home invasions. They can emit low frequency, very unsettling sounds waves that can be felt rather than heard, successfully discouraging and unnerving any intruder. The only problem is that these soundwaves unnerve everyone within a 100 mile radius as well, but this is a minor inconvenience given the hours of family fun these whales provide.
David
May 22, 2012 at 7:46 am
Personally I like to make my baby tiger ride my whale through JBR, while I do burnouts at 2am. Alllllll of the girls look at me now.
Anonymous
June 26, 2014 at 7:25 am
…I don’t get it…
Anonymous
May 10, 2015 at 3:36 am
These animals full names are blue whale catfish, and they are about ten inches long. You can get them at the pet store.