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My little niece Mimi asked me if I would say hello to the polar bears when I go to the South Pole - I had to explain that there aren't any there. Penguins are south, polar bears are north. It has been my dream to see Antarctica and all that is there for some time, so I am very excited to be on this trip.

The reason for going is not so appealing, though. All of the figures about the number of whales still being killed in the Southern Ocean - nearly 1,000 this year, including endangered species are too awful, but the figure that really sticks in my mind for last year was the number of pregnant and nursing whales that were killed.

Of all the mature female whales that were killed last year - a nearly 94% were either pregnant or nursing, so leaving young whales to starve to death and unborn ones to die inside their mothers.

And all of that, for an industry that doesn't make sense environmentally, scientifically or economically.

I've just spent the last two years planning and working on the Defending Our Oceans expedition looking at all of the threats to our oceans, but just as importantly, all the amazing stuff that is in them, that we would be insane to allow to go to waste. For me, whaling in one of the worst examples of pointless, needless waste of ocean life, so I am very glad to get the chance to try to stop it from happening. I hope that as many of you that can sign up and campaign with us - we can't do it without you! (or the Fluffy Red Dog - yes! He's back!)

If you want the boring CV stuff: I live in Amsterdam, Irish, born in England, TV journalist/presenter for 15 years before joining Greenpeace. Whales on the other hand are far more interesting live between the polar regions and warmer tropical waters where they feed and breed... would laugh at the thought of a migration from UK to Amsterdam - as they migrate thousands of miles each year. Talking of laughing - no they don't but their songs can be heard up to 1,500 miles away. Even my laugh can't match that. I have a stack of amazing whale facts - so stay tuned for more...

-Sara

Sara's profile from the West Africa Pirate Fishing leg of Defending our Oceans »

I only wish I could hear that laugh all the way out here! You're such an incredible inspiration. Know that, and take care. Best of luck to you and yours out there. All (really, all of it) my love is with you...

Good luck; hope you're not freezing your a** off yet.

Cheers,

Christine

Sara, the squid on this site looks familiar!
Take care and good luck
Love Jo