I was dismayed to read the article by Mike Bentley in which he criticised the amount of media attention given to the unfortunate bottlenose whale which strayed into the River Thames (Animals Are For Eating, January 28).

With the overwhelming number of muggings, murders, massacres, and other forms of man's inhumanity to man, and the reports on fraud, corruption and nasty goings-on with which we are constantly presented by the press, radio and TV, I found the proof that we could still be touched by the troubles of one creature a breath of fresh air. It almost restored my faith in human nature.

I think it is something to be thankful for, when we suffer from tragedy overload from every direction, that there remain people who are committed to compassion and will respond to the needs of sufferers, be these human or animal.

The day that the media ignores situations such as the plight of the whale will be the day that I will no longer wish to read about, listen to or watch what is going on.

I was very sad indeed that the poor whale did not make it, in spite of all the assistance offered to her, and I imagine many a tear was shed at the sorry outcome. Sorry, Mike, but this time I think you've got it wrong.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick,

York.

Updated: 10:21 Tuesday, January 31, 2006