Today marks the fifth anniversary of World Wildlife Day, the United Nations-backed celebration of all the animals that share our planet. And this is the first year that World Wildlife Day is focusing on marine life. Fin whales, like the one in our photo today, are listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the conservation status rankings. So, they’re threatened by climate change, pollution, shipping, and other concerns, but they’ve bounced back from the brink since the early 1900s, by which time centuries of whaling crews had hunted fin whales to near extinction.
Fin whales: A success story
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Martinique
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Castle ruins on the island of Halki, Greece
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A dreamy start to the Year of the Pig
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National Blueberry Day
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Norway s Kjeragbolten boulder
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Museum Night in Berlin
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Summer solstice
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Great Backyard Bird Count
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Antarctica Day
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Wychwood Forest, Oxfordshire, England
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Poinsettia Day
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A castle fit for a count
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World Lizard Day
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It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
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On this shore, history was made
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Take the Stairs Day
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A bite of ancient history
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Space-age style by the sea
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A peek behind the royal curtain
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I m here! Take a look at me!
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Through an artist s eyes
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Gazing upon Portraits of Change
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Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
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The Tour de France begins
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Going with the floe
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Bringing the moon to Earth
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Let’s go mothing
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A notorious advocate for women
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Wild and beautiful Alaska
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Does this shark have an Irish accent?