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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...

WDC launches major new captivity campaign

Today, WDC launches a major anti-captivity campaign aimed at the travel industry and their continued support for marine parks holding whales and dolphins in captivity. WDC calls on Richard Branson, as a founder of the Virgin brand and a member of the Ocean Elders group, to use his influence and stop Virgin Holidays promoting trips to SeaWorld parks. Other major UK travel companies promoting these trips include Cosmos, Thomas Cook, First Choice and Thomson.

Richard branson as PoseidonAs a passionate marine conservationist, Richard Branson, recently condemned the Taiji drive hunts in Japan where wild whales and dolphins are hunted each year or captured alive for captivity. Virgin Holidays promotes SeaWorld Parks which currently hold five  orcas in their tanks – whales who started their lives wild and free in the ocean.

There is no educational benefit in seeing orcas performing in circus style shows which have no value in informing the public about wild orcas and their habitats. Very little of SeaWorld’s annual revenue goes towards conservation.

Please join us in sending a strong message to Richard Branson and Virgin Holidays to end these promotions. Please sign our petition and share our campaign video – the more people who sign, the more chance we have of stopping the cruelty.