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We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...
We must protect our non-human allies. Image: Tom Brakefield, aurore murguet, johan63

We’re urging governments to protect all of our climate heroes – CITES

Katie Hunter Katie supports WDC's engagement in intergovernmental conversations and is working to end captivity...
The Natütama Foundation are dedicated to protecting endangered river dolphins. Image: Natutama

Guardians of the Amazon: protecting the endangered river dolphins

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Amazon river dolphins. Image: Fernando Trujillo/Fundacion Omacha

Amazon tragedy as endangered river dolphins die in hot water

Ali Wood Ali is WDC's education projects coordinator. She is the editor of Splash! and KIDZONE,...
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin © Mike Bossley/WDC

WDC in Japan – Part 3: Restoring freedom to dolphins in South Korea

Katrin Matthes Katrin is WDC's communications and campaigns officer for policy & communication in Germany...
Wintery scene in Iceland

Seeking sanctuary – Iceland’s complex relationship with whales

Hayley Flanagan Hayley is WDC's engagement officer, specialising in creating brilliant content for our website...
Whaling ship Hvalur 8 arrives at the whaling station with two fin whales

A summer of hope and heartbreak for whales in Icelandic waters

Luke McMillan Luke is WDC's Head of hunting and captivity. Now that the 2023 whaling season...

Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism

ABTA, the UK Travel Association, has launched a significant report entitled “Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism”. Initially for use for ABTA members, the tour operators Thomas Cook, TUI, Virgin Holidays and Cosmos, the guidance provides the first ever global guidelines on animal welfare for the tourism industry.

Animal attractions such as dolphinaria, featuring captive dolphins performing in circus-style shows, and “posing” for photographs with tourists or swimming with them, are popular with holidaymakers. But on their return home, many holidaymakers contact their tour operators or organisations such as WDC with their concerns about the places they have visited and the welfare of the animals they have seen or interacted with. ABTA’s initiative aims to address some of those concerns, by providing, among other things, specific guidance for tour operators, tourist boards in holiday destinations and other sectors of the tourism industry, on health, welfare and conditions concerning animal attractions promoted by the industry.

WDC hopes it will be strictly adhered to by ABTA members and others and provide a first step towards an end to tour operator promotion of facilities holding and displaying captive whales and dolphins to international tourists.