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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...

New species of dolphin found in Australian waters

Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have identified a previously unknown species of humpback dolphin living off the coast of Australia. By conducting genetic testing on hundreds of tissue samples, and studying hundreds of skulls, they concluded that enough genetic variation exists to distinguish a new, as yet unnamed species.

There has long been controversy over the number of species of humpback dolphin and until now they’ve been divided into two groups – one in the Atlantic Ocean and one found in other parts of the world. However, this research proves that the population of humpback dolphins is actually composed of four distinct species.

In addition to the newly discovered species, one of the current groups should be divided into two. The species occupy the eastern Atlantic Ocean off West Africa (Atlantic humpback dolphin), the central and western Indian Ocean (Sousa plumbea), the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans (Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin), and the waters off the coast of northern Australia (unnamed species).

Given that humpback dolphins are considered threatened in some parts of the world, this discovery is a critical step in efforts to conserve the dwindling numbers of humpback dolphins around the world.