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Orca Lulu's body contained PCB levels 100x above the safe limit. Image: SMASS

Toxic tides, troubled whales: the toll of chemical pollution

In last week's blog, we examined the challenges whales and dolphins face as they travel...
Group of orcas at surface

Breaking barriers for whales and dolphins at the Convention of Migratory Species

Many species of whales, dolphins and porpoises undertake long journeys, encountering human-made obstacles along the...
Tokyo

WDC in Japan – Part 1: Finding allies in Tokyo

At the end of May, I embarked on an incredible journey to Japan on behalf...
Amazon river dolphins leaping

The state of river dolphin conservation

At Whale and Dolphin Conservation, we partner with conservationists and communities fighting to save river...
Researchers in Southeast Alaska studying whale poo

We’re funding crucial research on whale poo to combat the climate crisis

The ocean is one of the lungs of our planet, and whales help it to...
Narwhal surfacing

The unicorns of the sea must be protected – CITES

The narwhal, is under threat. Often referred to as the unicorns of the sea, narwhals,...
Sperm whales

We’re pushing governments for action for our climate heroes – whales

The climate crisis is the greatest threat to all life on Earth. But there is...
Dolphins captured for captivity in Taiji. Image: Hans Peter Roth

Loved and killed – whales and dolphins in Japan

Protests and criticism from outside Japan in response to the slaughter of whales and dolphins...

Small fish in a BIG pond?!

So there is no going back now! I’ve just entered myself into the Banff Bay swim; a challenge against nature’s elements, swimming across the Bay that spans the mouth of the river Deveron, in the north east of Scotland. Starting at the lighthouse in Banff, I will be (hopefully) optimising the effects of any wind, swell, river current and the more advantageous tidal current to reach the Lighthouse at Macduff, approx. 1500m away. It’s going to be a challenge that’s for sure, but that’s the idea right?! I’ve never done an outdoor swim before, (I’m guessing splash about in the shallows doesn’t really count) and it’s going to be a lot tougher than the safe haven of a 25 meter pool, with neatly spaced lanes and crystal clear water!

I will of course be raising money for charity (https://www.justgiving.com/ruthclark) and all proceeds are going to WDC. As a residential volunteer at the Scottish Dolphin Centre, it’s amazing to be part of the fantastic work they do here to protect whales and Dolphins, and I hope this challenge will help them to continue raising awareness of these fantastic creatures.

Let the training commence!!! Stay tuned for the next big splash!…..