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
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.