Ecologists angry over Minorcan whale show

Balearic environmental group GOB has officially complained to Ciutadella council in Minorca about the proposed public exhibition of a whale in a commercial centre along Ciutadella beach. GOB has asked the local council of provide all the relevant information about the whale which was found dead off the coast of Minorca. GOB wants to know if Ciutadella council followed all the correct procedures and received permission from authorities to put the whale on public display. GOB stated in an official communique yesterday that the Physeter macrocephalus species of whale is protected by the Berne Treaty which was ratified by the Spanish government in 1986. As a result of this, GOB says that the whale is a protected animal and special permission needs to be obtained to handle the animal in such a way. The environmental organisation also believes it dangerous to put the whale, albeit dead, on public display.