Whale and Dolphin Conservation

What are ghost nets? Why do they cause so many problems and can anything be done? 💡WDC's Danny Groves explains the full story in this BBC Discover Wildlife article 👉 https://ow.ly/v1Y250Uv2ig

We are thrilled to share the news that WDC research fellow, Erich Hoyt, has been awarded an #OBE in the #NewYearsHonours for his remarkable contribution to #marine #conservation! 🎉 As well as being a much-loved colleague at WDC since 1988, Erich is a highly respected author, researcher and advisor to various international conservation groups and governments. He is a pioneer for whale and dolphin conservation around the world, and is the co-founder and co-chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, which is mapping the ocean for important marine mammal areas. Please join us in congratulating Erich on this very fitting honour for a lifetime of service to whales and dolphins!

Happy New Year from our pod to yours! 🥳 Here's to another year of fighting for a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free! 💪

What an extraordinary humpback whale migration! Scientists are astonished as a humpback whale undertakes one of the most remarkable migrations ever recorded. This incredible journey took the whale from the Pacific Ocean off Colombia (in S. America) to near Zanzibar (off E. Africa) in the Indian Ocean, covering a staggering 13,000 km! 🤯 This migration is a testament to the resilience and strength of these majestic beings. To learn more about this amazing migration click here👉 https://lnkd.in/d2tkUj4y

The mating strategies of whales and dolphins are truly remarkable. From intricate courtship behaviours to the roles of dominant males in certain species, the reproductive tactics of these beings are shaped by evolution, social dynamics, and environmental factors. Understanding these tactics is not only fascinating but also essential for our ongoing efforts to protect both whales and dolphins. Learn more about how whales and dolphins navigate reproduction in the wild here 👉https://ow.ly/Z6Lq50UpS8B

Great news! Zina, one of the 11 orcas illegally captured in 2018 and held in the notorious 'whale jail' in Russia, has been spotted swimming free in the wild again🥳 Orcas and beluga whales were taken from their natural habitat and confined in small sea pens near Nakhodka, awaiting sale to Chinese marine parks. Thanks to global outcry a plan was put in place to return these incredible beings to the ocean in 2019. While the journey wasn’t without tragedy, with one orca lost during the process, Zina’s return to the wild is a powerful reminder to keep fighting to end #whale and #dolphin #captivity👉 https://ow.ly/8tuT50UpGGJ #DontGoToTheShow

A very happy holidays from all of us at WDC 🐳🎄#MerryChristmas

Ending whale and dolphin #captivity won’t happen overnight, but together, we’re making a difference. This summer, as part of our #DontGoToTheShow campaign we urged UK holidaymakers not to go to #whale and #dolphin shows while they're on holiday. Then in October, or #Orcatober we asked you, our supporters, to help expose the suffering behind this so-called entertainment by sharing what you think is the most horrific aspect of captivity. Here's what you had to say. Ending captivity will take years of hard work, but we’re in it for the long haul. These shows are a cold, hard business, and like any business, they’re driven by profit. So, as we make more people aware of the horrors behind the shows, fewer people will visit and there will be a greater chance of them closing their doors forever. Thank you so much for your support. Let’s look at what we’ve accomplished so far, the challenges we’ve faced, and what’s next on this journey 👉 https://ow.ly/gL6p50UtffO #EndCaptivityForever

We’re getting more excited by the day that WDC patron and BBC presenter Julia Bradbury, will be joining our partners Intrepid Travel on their journey to the spectacular Antarctic Circle in February aboard the comfortable and spacious Ocean Endeavour🚢 This once-in-a-lifetime expedition doesn’t just offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica while encountering some of the most awe-inspiring whale and dolphin species on Earth 👇 but also raises money for WDC! Which whale or dolphin would you love to see most on this incredible journey?

Disturbing development from Japan 👉https://ow.ly/klvv50UtnhL On December 12, 2024, fresh #finwhale meat was sold at auction in Japan for the first time in nearly 50 years. This meat came from 30 fin whales killed off #Japan's coasts this year. Thanks to a new #whaling ship with modern refrigeration, more fresh whale meat is now available in supermarkets and markets across Japan. This marks a concerning step backward for marine conservation efforts, highlighting the continued commercialisation of whale meat despite global opposition. #StopWhaling 📷 Christopher Swann