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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...
Irrawaddy dolphin

Helping fishers protect dolphins in Sarawak, Borneo

Fishing nets are bad news for dolphins and porpoises, so we're working with local fishers...
Dolphin watching from Chanonry Point, Scotland. Image: WDC/Charlie Phillips

Discovering inner peace – whale and dolphin watching and mental wellbeing

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Whale tail

An ocean of hope

In a monumental, jaw-dropping demonstration of global community, the nations of the world made history...
The infamous killing cove at Taiji, Japan

Why the Taiji dolphin hunt can never be justified

Supporters of the dolphin slaughter in Japan argue that killing a few hundred dolphins every...
Image: Peter Linforth

Tracking whales from space will help us save them

Satellite technology holds one of the keys to 21st century whale conservation, so we're exploring...
Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

We're funding a project in Hong Kong that's working with fishing communities to help save...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...

Hey UK, Turks and Caicos Humpbacks Need You too!

A recent BBC report highlights the need for better wildlife protection in UK overseas territories including the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).  Along with the issues covered in the article, endangered humpback whales are also facing threats in this region.  Historically considered as a migratory corridor to the breeding and calving grounds off the Dominican Republic, WDC data suggests TCI waters may be part of the breeding range for North Atlantic humpbacks.  The threat of ship strikes, habitat degradation and pressures from tourism are increasing for whales in this region, leaving mothers and newborn calves most vulnerable. 

WDC not only agrees that increasing protections are needed, but also calls for the UK to increase funding for education in this area.  In partnership with the School for Field Studies, WDC has initiated an education program for TCI students on South Caicos.  “We were shocked to learn that some local children didn’t even realize that whales lived off their coasts” said Monica Pepe, Conservation and Education Manager for WDC. “While funding conservation programs is essential, so is ensuring that the residents of the Turks and Caicos know about their natural resources and are empowered to protect them.” 

This spring WDC’s North American office launched a program that connected students in the Turks and Caicos with students up the road from our office in Plymouth, Mass.  Not only did they learn about whales and their habitats, they also participated in a cultural exchange by recording videos of their respective classes talking about everyday life (favorite foods, length of school day, average weather conditions, etc.).  The goal of this project is for students to learn about the different regions humpbacks utilize and instill a sense of responsibility for protecting them.

WDC is seeking funding to continue its work to protect the humpback whales of TCI and to continue education programs in both the US and the Turks and Caicos Islands.