Tethys Research Institute north-western Mediterranean, within the waters of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals. This ongoing project focuses on the ecology and conservation of the cetacean fauna occurring in the area, which includes the fin whale ("Balaenoptera physalus"), the sperm whale ("Physeter macrocephalus"), the long-finned pilot whale ("Globicephala melas"), the Risso’s dolphin ("Grampus griseus"), the Cuvier's beaked whale ("Ziphius cavirostris"), the striped dolphin ("Stenella coeruleoalba"), the common bottlenose dolphin and, to a lesser extent, the short-beaked common dolphin ("Delphinus delphis"). The study area extends over about 24,000 km encompassing coastal, slope and deep pelagic waters between continental Italy, France and the
Creature worship goal to achieve "nirvana", the soul experiences rebirth in the form of different creatures. It is, thus, accepted to worship nature in all of its elements because it signifies respect for the environment as well as the worship for one's ancestors. Creature worship In contrast with worship of a Creator deity, the theological term creature worship refers unflatteringly to veneration of that which is created. In the biblical worldview, creature worship is seen as analogous to a reversal of the relationship between God and creature or the reversal of mindedness, which places power in the handiwork. Creature worship may include: