Royal Dutch Shell Project Threatens to Drive Whales to Extinction

June 28, 2004

Hi,

Here is our most recent news release issued today about the threat of Shell's Sakhalin project to Western Pacific Grey whales.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Kerry

Kerry Branon

Communications Coordinator

International Fund for Animal Welfare

75 Attucks Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

508-744-2068

kbranon

www.ifaw.org

Press Contact: Chris Cutter, IFAW, 508-744-2066, ccutter

Editors for more information go to www.IFAW.org

Royal Dutch Shell Project Threatens to Drive Whales to Extinction

(Yarmouth Port, MA - 28 June 2004) - IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare - www.ifaw.org) announced today that a Royal Dutch Shell oil and gas project off the coast of Sakhalin Island threatens the extinction of the Western Pacific Grey Whales.

IFAW made the announcement at a rally in The Hague, Netherlands, outside a Royal Dutch Shell shareholder meeting. The purpose of the rally was to educate shareholders about the threat to whales from Shell's Sakhalin project and to offer alternatives to Shell's expansion plans. Shell owns 55% of the project. Mitsubishi and Mitsui are other major stakeholders.

Western Pacific Grey Whales are highly endangered and only about 100 remain in the world. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) includes the whales on its list of critically endangered species.

Every year, from May to November, the entire known population of Western Pacific Grey Whales returns to feed off the northeastern shores of Sakhalin Island, off the east coast of Russia. Shell currently operates an enormous oil and gas project in this same location and has announced plans to expand its current project by building a platform and pipeline through the whales' feeding area.

"This is a very clear cut issue," said Marcel Bertsch of IFAW. "Shell can expand its Sakhalin project in a way that protects whales, or it can continue with its stated plans and drive the Western Pacific Grey Whales into extinction. IFAW isn't asking Shell to shut down the project, we are simply asking them to build around the feeding area."

A group of 11 environmental groups - including IFAW, WWF and Greenpeace - have warned Shell that its current construction plans pose a critical threat to whales. The groups have offered alternate construction plans that would protect whales but Shell has refused to change their current plans.

"IFAW is going to push for a public dialogue on the threat Shell poses to whales," said Bertsch. "There are reasonable alternatives and Shell's employees, shareholders and investors need to know that this is an important decision. If they choose to proceed recklessly, they are literally choosing the extinction of one of the world's most majestic whales."

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW is an international animal welfare and conservation organization that works to protect animals and their environments. From offices in 15 countries around the world, IFAW works to protect whales, elephants, great apes, big cats, dogs and cats, seals and other animals. To learn how to help animals, please visit www.ifaw.org.

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The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW -- www.ifaw.org) works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. IFAW seeks to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and to promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.

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