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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...

Worms. They're What's for Dinner.

What’s on YOUR menu today? A whole lot of choices, if you’re a beluga!

As opportunistic feeders, belugas have an extremely variable diet depending on the season and what’s available for them to eat.  Since they live in many different habitats during the year, their options change depending on where they are.  They eat many kinds of fish, octopuses and squid, crabs, shrimp, sea snails, marine worms, and large zooplankton.  In the summer, when they live close to shore in estuaries, bays, and river mouths, they may even chase schools of fish upriver for a tasty meal! 


Yum….does this marine worm look tasty to you?

The belugas taken out of the wild and put in tanks will not have this seasonal change in their diet.  They don’t form the social hunting groups brought together in the wild, nor will they have the exercise and mental challenge of hunting down their dinner.  They will be fed a diet not nearly as variable as what they find in the wild, and food is only available at certain times of the day, when the oceanarium staff allows it.

 WDC is asking Georgia-Pacific to meet the needs of beluga societies and withdraw their sponsorship of the Georgia Aquarium.  Let’s send them a message! “Georgia-Pacific, you protect your communities – protect beluga communities, too! Say NO to sponsoring the Georgia Aquarium.  Wild Russian belugas should NOT be held captive in US tanks!

Please contact the Georgia Aquarium directly and tell them conservation and education does not mean taking beluga whales from the wild!

Check back soon for more information on how belugas hunt and eat, and for another action alert!  Thank you for your support in helping belugas stay wild and free!