The endangered Hectors dolphin is found only in inshore waters off New Zealand's South Island...

The Hectors dolphins are among the world's smallest dolphins. They are found only in the inshore waters of New Zealand's South Island. Its close cousin, the Maui dolphin, is found in west coast waters off the North Island.

They are the only dolphins in New Zealand with a wellrounded dorsal fin. Their bodies are a distinctive grey colour with black and white markings and a short snout.

They are also an endangered species - down to only 8,000 in number at present. They also only breed every two to three years.

Hectors dolphins have also been reported to get caught in fishing nets at times.

http://ecospree.com

http://www.blackcat.co.nz/wildlife.html/

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/marine-mammals/dolphins/hectors-dolphin.fact/

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• Are dolphins endangered? (greenanswers.com)

Rolling Stone Names Top 15 Eco Rockers

Rolling Stone Names Top 15 Eco Rockers

By Jeff Kart via Planet Green

The music people at Rolling Stone have noticed something. More and more artists are becoming environmentally and socially conscious. Or, maybe the artists are just talking about it more. We noticed that a while back, and launched our Instrumental section in 2009. Many of the same artists we’ve spotlighted in 2010 also were named by the mag.

The folks behind the Campus Consciousness Tour pointed us to No. 6 on the Rolling Stone list: Hip hopper Drake, who headlined the Reverb-backed tour in the spring.

But let’s take it from the top. Rolling Stone says more and more music artists are “attempting to take responsibility and move toward greener alternatives, either by cutting back on their use of harmful products like fuel and plastic or by devoting time and money to promoting environmental causes.”

The Top 15 list begins with Guster, who founded the concert-greening nonprofit Reverb with his wife Lauren in 2004. Others highlighted include Barenaked Ladies, part of the Green Music Group Challenge from the summer of 2010, and other participants, like Dave Matthews Band and The Roots.

There’s also Jack Johnson, Green Day, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. Not a lot of surprises for Planet Green readers, but all good choices, along with KT Tunstall, Phish, Perry Farrell, Don Henley, Sheryl Crow and Thom Yorke.

The selection of The Eagles’ Henley may throw you for a loop (since he wasn’t in the news too much this year). He created the Walden Woods Project back in 1990 and his Caddo Lake Institute continues to fund ecological research projects, Rolling Stone notes.

As the mag says, green and socially conscious music is a “still-growing movement.” We’ll see you in 2011 for more. Who would make your list of the most eco-friendly rockers?

Image source: Muckster

http://ecospree.com

Bizarre deep sea creatures found thousands of meters below...

 Bizarre deep sea creatures found thousands of meters below...

Scientists have discovered a host of bizarre-looking deep-sea creatures in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 10 previously unknown marine species were found thousands of metres below sea level on a six-week voyage by researchers from the UK's University of Aberdeen.

The scientists believe some of the colourful and transparent creatures could provide the missing evolutionary link between backboned and invertebrate animals.

http://news.msn.co.nz/glance/7926310/bizarre-deep-sea-creatures-found   Seven pictures to view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDiFXy6N-k    TANGAROA- GOD OF THE SEA

Acknowledgements: MSN NZ