Community Asked Tough Questions About Humpback Whales

May 29, 2007 | by Fritz | No Comments

By Fritz

San Francisco is gripped with tough questions about why a mother humpback
whale known as Delta and a baby whale calf known as Dawn swam up the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
As crowds gather near the shores to see a glimpse of these huge whales,
researchers are clambering for answers.

“What’s in Sacramento?” South of Market resident Tiffany Popan, age 26,
asked. “Is that where whales mate?”

“How could this happen?” Clyde Fasano from the Castro neighborhood
asked. “What kind of world are we living in where whales just swim
where ever the hell they want?”

Researcher and Whale expert Jim Thornburg from the San Francisco State
University Liberal Art Department gave a quick response when asked.
“Well I’m no expert but I guess this is the whales way of calling
attention to the mindless hunting of Humpback Whales for their fur.”
Crooked Street soon ended that interview as he was a complete waste of
time.

Scientist and Whale enthusiast Kim Thompson from City College had this to
say. “Whales swimming up the delta is natural. Whales live in water
and so it would only be natural that they would be in the water of the
delta if they chose to swim there. Who are we to tell the humpback
whale that he made a wrong turn? What are we going to tell this whale?
This is like telling me that I can’t take on a second husband.” Crooked
Street also ended that interview.

This crisis begs the question. Are our children safe? What dangers may
be lurking in the bushes outside our porch?

Crooked Street caught up with San Francisco Police parole officer Bob
Trimble to give us some insight.

“I think if kids can try and not swim near the whale while she is in the
delta that it would stop at least half of all the whale related deaths
that the San Francisco bay has had in the last year. Also it would not
be a good idea to accept candy from the whale at any time.”

As San Francisco waits for this whale to get her hump out of dodge we
will probably always be asking these tough questions. But this thing is
for sure…we must remember all of those who have lost their lives due
to whales.