The Whale Vs The God Squad: A Tale As Old As Time

The Whale Vs The God Squad: A Tale As Old As Time

Rice whales are among the most endangered species on Earth with less than 100 left. Long

predating human existence, these beasts of the deep blue have survived for millennia only to be

pushed to the brink of existence within a few centuries of human brutality. Decades of hunting,

habitat destruction, and climate change have confined them to a small pocket of the Gulf of

Mexico, now their last fragile refuge.

Whales have always occupied a strange place in human imagination. Creatures of myth, mystery, and awe. Yet our history with them is also one of violence. Generations of whaling for oil, meat, and materials drove many species to near extinction, and some beyond recovery. 

Despite this, humanity appears not to have learned its lesson with the same patterns of exploitation persisting today just under a different disguise.

When I say “we,” I am referring in part to those in positions of power and specifically the United

States’ Endangered Species Committee. Informally known as the “God Squad,” this group holds

extraordinary authority: it can effectively decide whether an endangered species lives or dies by

granting exemptions to environmental protections.

After not meeting since the 1990s, In early April, during a brief meeting of Trump appointment

members lasting only minutes, decisions were made that may shape the future of Rice’s whales.

The committee voted to exempt certain oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico (or as the

committee refer to it as - the Gulf of America - highlighting not only their embarrassing loyalty to

Donald Trump but also their pure stupidity) from key provisions of the Endangered Species Act. 

In practical terms, this strips away critical safeguards not only for Rice’s whales but for many other species sharing that ecosystem.

These exemptions were justified under the banner of national interest and a state of emergency.

Pushed forward by none other than the heartless Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in order to

support a spiralling fuel crisis caused by war of choice currently being waged in Iran. But such

reasoning raises uncomfortable questions. Is the crisis of war being used for the personal gain of just a few? And when does economic ambition override responsibility?

The consequences are stark. With fewer protections, the already precarious existence of Rice’s whales become even more uncertain. Increased industrial activity brings noise pollution, ship strikes, and the ever-present risk of oil spills all of which threaten their survival. The survival of a species already dancing with death. This new threat unfolds on the lasting legacy of the Horizon Oil Spill in 2010 which continues to have a negative impact on the Gulf of Mexico to this day.

This moment is undeniably tragic for those who care about the natural world. To lose such a colossal and historical creature is to mourn a world we are rapidly losing control of. But it also

exposes something deeper: humanity’s enduring struggle with restraint. Our dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with a persistent drive for economic growth, often places us in direct conflict with the ecosystems that sustain us.

The cultural dimension to this conflict cannot be shelved either. For centuries, nature has been

framed as something to conquer, a force to dominate and a stage to demonstrate our power,

strength and money rather than one to coexist with. Since early colonial exploration allowing

for the domination of white approaches to nature the bleak narrative held by the west has often

been the same: control, extract, expand. The tools have changed, but the mindset remains. 

Heavy and imposing.Yet this perspective is increasingly untenable. Species like Rice’s whale are not just symbols of biodiversity; they are integral parts of complex ecosystems of which our existence relies upon.

When they disappear, the effects ripple outward, destabilising the very systems humans need for basic survival.

We may believe our technology places us above nature, but in reality, it ties us more closely to it

than ever. The loss of key species and ecosystems ultimately undermines our own survival.

The story of Rice’s whale is not just about one species. It is about the choices we continue to

make and the consequences we are unwilling to face.

The Elephants Behind India’s Festivals.

Behind the colourful celebrations of Jaipur’s elephant festival, a life of abuse and extreme stress

awaits the god-like status elephants to form the centre of these festivals.

Elephants are sacred and prized animals within Indian culture. With Hindu gods adorned with

elephant features and festivals holding them at god-like status, they are huge cultural symbols

and hold a special place in the heart of many Indians.

Despite their elevated status in Indian society, they are often not treated like the gods they are

portrayed to be.

Behind the joyful and colourful festivals lies a story of abuse and lucrative business deals, where these creatures are tortured and used for the profit of many dealers and temples.

Our story takes us back through history and into the heart of the elephant festival region in India: the Kerala region.

A Long-Lasting Legacy. The fame and love these elephants receive from their adoring public is not only a modern story but a relationship that stretches back generations. Hindu and Buddhist traditions bestowed this elevated status upon elephants many generations ago, and these towering figures have been used by temples for centuries to perform honoured and sacred duties.

The status and fame of some of these elephants outlives their days earth-side and brings them to celebrity-like status, with some even having their own Wikipedia pages.

The Elephants them selves as mentioned before, individual elephants achieve the status of cultural icons. To fully understand the battle these gentle giants must endure to become so well behaved in intense crowds, it is important for us to meet a few of them.

Techikkottukavu RamachandranEasily one of the most famed elephants in the business, he is also the tallest captive elephant in all of India at a staggering 10ft tall. Now at the old age of 56 and suffering from partial blindness, he has served a long career in the festival and ceremony industry but his work is yet to come to a close as he remains the star of many major parades.

Lakshmi. Another star in the world of elephant festivals, Lakshmi worked a tiresome three decade career before thankfully being rescued by a sanctuary due to her desperate state. Lakshmi was known as India’s skinniest elephant as a result of prolonged malnourishment and abuse at the hands of her owners.

The true ordeal. You may at this point be wondering what exactly happens to these animals.

Well, to conjure up the conflicting reality where a wild animal of such size can move calmly and

safely through roaring crowds whilst carrying multiple men and being constantly showered with

flower garlands - a lot.

A lot of abuse. To create this cruel parade, these elephants must go through gruelling periods of torture to ensure they are so scared of their owners and of people that they will not dare step out of line and risk another round of senseless cruelty once the crowds have dismantled.

They are tied and beaten for as long as 72 hours and faced with weapons such as whips and

spiked poles, with some becoming paralysed in their trunks due to their incredible sensitivity to a lucrative dark business. Why do these temples and owners go to such effort to tame these elephants?

Money. The business of beating and parading elephants is incredibly lucrative. With some elephants priced at as much as $10,000 per festival, the owners are able to receive staggering pay checks from the many temples and organisers jostling for a slice of the elephant parade pie.

What does the future hold for this violent tradition?

It is not uncommon nor isolated to India for animals to become victims wrapped up within cultural and religious traditions.

Often these practices have originated long before the current perpetrators, and they may see it as simply the norm. Yet, undoubtably the abuse and torture of these captive wild animals poses a serious ethical dilemma that must meet a resolution.

Without significant action many more elephants will follow in the same bloodied footsteps as that of Lakshmi.

Written by, Jeanie Myers