This International Adoption may not have the controversy of Madonna's recent African adoption or send a hoard of paparazzi out seeking photographs like those that followed Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their recent adoptions. However it is exciting news for the owners of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, a start up organic tortilla chip company . Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, which pledges a portion of their proceeds to marine conservation, just received adoption papers from The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS). WDCS is an international society that was founded for the protection of whales and dolphins.

As Michael Waterson, Treasurer for WDCS, said, “It's somewhat of a "fluke" that we happened upon the Whale Tails Tortilla Chip website. On their website we read that it was our adoption program that helped provide the inspiration to make the first Whale Tail Chip out of a flat tortilla.” The “inspiration” that Michael Waterson speaks of was a packet featuring a picture of Cat's Paw's fluke . On their website, www. whaletailschips .com, is a wonderful story of how Ric's wife, Terry, used the photographs of Cat's Paw's tail as an inspiration for designing the whale's tail tortilla chip's unique shape. Michael Waterson said, “ The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) enthusiastically took over the Whale Adoption project last October because we believed the US market was critical to achieving success in whale conservation. Now part of this international organization the Whale Adoption Project continues to generate funds supporting whale and dolphin conservation around the world. Our team said they would like to see Whale Tails Tortilla Chips for sale on commercial whale watching boats here in Massachusetts and all along both coasts of the United States.” Sue Rocca, a marine biologist for WDCS added “ I believe our companies working together is a natural fit because both organizations are connecting people to whales. That is why our decision for this adoption feels so good, because our common strategic goals of reaching out to people and informing them what a great product we both have. We wanted to honor Whale Tails Tortilla Chips with an adoption of their own.” Michael added “ while Cat's Paw might be the obvious choice, she's a bit elusive so we decided to send Adoption papers for “Salt” the grand dame of all humpback whales and the first individually identified humpback in 1976. We also thought "Salt" appropriate given the chip connection and that many of her calves are named for condiments, such as Salsa born in 1991 and Tabasco in 1998. Whale Tails Tortilla Chips desire to support conservation by donating 10% of their profits is particularly impressive and we look forward to working with them to spread the word about whales, their product and the need for increased conservation of our oceans and its inhabitants.”

Ric Kraszewski and his wife, Terry, were relieved to learn that with this adoption they would not be responsible for feeding “Salt” who is over 37 feet long and consumes 4400-5500 pounds of plankton, krill and small, schooling fish each day during the feeding season. But they were pleased to learn that WDCS will help to spread the word about their company Whale Tails Tortilla Chips on the East Coast. This one year old startup tortilla chip company has already established themselves among retailers on the West Coast . Their Whale Tails Chips are currently being sold in all Southern California Whole Foods Stores and also Whole Foods in Washington, Nevada and Arizona. Three aquariums have also taken them on, The Monterey Aquarium, The Long Beach Aquarium and The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, California. Plus many coastal markets and delicatessens are offering their chips. You will also see their chips in gift baskets this holiday season.

To learn more about how you can get involved in helping protect Whales, Dolphins and their threatened habitat visit the WDCS website : www.whales.org

To read more about Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, customer comments and where to buy visit : www.whaletailschips.com