Endangered whales featured in Canada Post's latest stamps series
Canada Post says it hopes its latest series of stamps will make letter-writers and card-senders think before they drop their envelopes in the mailbox.
The new set, unveiled in Vancouver Monday, shows five whale species that have been recognized as endangered.
The whales featured include orcas. While not all orcas are designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, a population in the Northeast Pacific Ocean known as southern resident killer whales does meet the criteria.
Likewise, belugas are featured for their populations in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Cumberland Sound and Ungava Bay.
A population of northern bottlenose whale that lives on the Scotian Shelf is also featured.
Blue whales are another species on the stamps, with populations endangered in both the Atlantic and Pacific ocean.
The North Atlantic right whale is the fifth species.
"Canadian waters are home to a remarkable diversity of whales, with more than 30 species," Canada Post said in a statement.
"Sadly, some whale populations are at risk."
Endangered whales are featured in a new Canada Post stamp series unveiled in Vancouver on Monday, May 16, 2022. (Canada Post)
To blame are pollution and climate change, Canada Post said, as well as ocean noise and ship strikes. Whales are also killed by fishing gear and debris, in which they can be entangled.
A biologist who spoke at the unveiling of the stamps illustrated by artist David Miller said the recognition of these five species as endangered can lead to legal protections.
"It can also lead organizations and people to act voluntarily to stop activities that harm the whales," Dalhousie University professor Hal Whitehead said.
"Thirdly, it raises awareness that we have a problem here, and we need to do something about it."
The stamps will be available at Canada Post locations starting Friday, or can be ordered online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.