Tag Archives: mammals of japan

Whale Watching Okinawa – Searching for Humpback Whales by Shawn Miller

Posted on by

Whale watching season starts at the beginning of February and ends in April. We went out with The Zamami Whale watching Association In 2013.  Before the boat ride, a local Scientist delivered an informative presentation on these powerful endangered animals. I have to say they are doing their best to educate the public on the protection of the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). During the boat ride, the staff and boat captain were highly professional. The boats kept a safe working distance from the whales. The whales would surface for a few minutes go back down for 10-15minutes and resurface.  We really wanted to get some powerful images of the whale jumping out of the water but we didn’t get that lucky.  It was still worth the experience.

20130309-DSC_6444-2

Whale watching tours – Kerama Islands

20130309-DSC_6344-2

Humpback checking out the scene

20130309-DSC_6484-2

Humpback Whale Dorsal fin

20130309-DSC_6499-2

Whale Fluke -Karama Islands

Whale watching boats

Whale watching tours at Zamami Island

IMG_1098

Whale tail splash

The Humpback whales biggest threat is Pollution.  They are filter feeders and often accidentally ingest marine debris.  Our waste is a serious problem for all marine animals.

Our waste is overwelling. We are at the point of massive destruction if we don’t do anything about it right now.  The trash (Marine debris) is found on the surface of the water, underwater and littered on our beautiful shorelines.  This is a worldwide issue we continue to ignore.

37825876031_cd7c8d79ff_b

Ocean surface pollution

15633631513_9847e43e3c_b

Underwater Pollution

39016123992_3bd840e76c_b

Beach shoreline pollution

Ropes and fishing gear are entanglements for the Whales

Ropes, fishing gear, and nets are entanglements for the Whales

Plastic pollution, noise pollution and an increase in large boat traffic are having an impact on the whales.  Every year we see whales washed on our shorelines.

24692432059_fd5fc8af0d_b

Dead humpback whale – Kadena

Juvenile humpback whale

Juvenile humpback whale

Another Juvenile humpback whale washed up on Torii beach.

8576800954_a76e0b522a_b

Dead humpback whale – Yomitan

8577434696_0b3d12a7dd_b(1)

Dead humpback whale – Yomitan

Let’s protect the animals of the Okinawa.

 

 

 

 

Ryukyu Long tailed Giant Rat – Ryukyu Islands

Posted on by

The Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata) is an endangered species found on Amami, Tokuno and Okinawa Island. This rare species is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species.  It’s biggest threats are deforestation, feral cats, dogs and the introduced mongoose. I often see it crossing the road during the night in the Yanbaru forest. Please pay attention to crossing wildlife and drive at a safe speed.

Ryukyu Long-tailed giant rat

Ryukyu Long-tailed giant rat

Natural habitat -Yanbaru

Yanbaru  – balancing on a power line

searching for food

Searching for food – Natural habitat

Below,  Is a disturbing scene I stumbled upon in northern Okinawa.  I don’t know exactly what ate this mid-sized rat but more than likely it was a feral cat.

Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata)

Ryukyu Long-Tailed Giant Rat (Diplothrix legata)

Feral cats are a huge problem in Northern Okinawa.

Feral cats

Feral cats by Shawn Miller

Please watch your speed while driving through the wildlife protected area in Northern Okinawa.

Road kill © Shawn Miller

The Yanbaru forest is designated as a wildlife protection area by the Okinawan prefecture, It extends from Nago to Kunigami village.

Yanbaru forest

Yanbaru forest

People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature