In New Zealand, the Maori king wants whales to have the same rights as men

Ecology – a special situation for organisms that are at risk of extinction. The Maori King of New Zealand, the country that recognized the river as a living entity, on Thursday, March 28, called on whales to benefit from legal rights similar to those of humans, to protect this vulnerable marine species.

Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau te Wherowhero VII called for cetaceans to be given the right to live in a healthy environment, in order to allow their numbers to recover.

“The song of our ancestors has been weakened and their environment is threatened, which is why we must act now.”The King said the greeting in a statement.

“Its decline disrupts the delicate balance” of the sea

In 2017, New Zealand granted legal personality to Mount Taranaki and the Wanganui River, which Māori consider to be their ancestors and have special spiritual significance to them. This situation has since been used to slow down or cancel many development projects and require those concerned to consult with local residents.

Maori, an indigenous Polynesian people, make up 17% of New Zealand's population, or about 900,000 people.

The rare intervention by King Tuhetia, also signed by Cook Islands chieftain Travel Tu Ariki, also calls for better consideration of the knowledge of indigenous peoples through science, with the aim of 'A more comprehensive approach' To protect whales.

“We can no longer turn a blind eye”Grand Chef Travel to Ariki said. “Whales play a vital role in the health of the entire ocean ecosystem. Their decline disrupts the delicate balance that sustains life at Te Moana (The Sea, editor’s note).”. “We must act urgently to protect these magnificent creatures before it is too late.”He insisted.

Six out of 13 whale species are classified as ” in danger “ Endangered or vulnerable, according to the environmental NGO WWF.

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