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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 -...
A dolphin called Arnie with a shell

Dolphins catch fish using giant shell tools

In Shark Bay, Australia, two groups of dolphins have figured out how to use tools...
Common dolphins at surface

Did you know that dolphins have unique personalities?

We all have personalities, and between the work Christmas party and your family get-together, perhaps...
Leaping harbour porpoise

The power of harbour porpoise poo

We know we need to save the whale to save the world. Now we are...
Holly. Image: Miray Campbell

Meet Holly, she’s an incredible orca leader

Let me tell you the story of an awe-inspiring orca with a fascinating family story...
Humpback whale. Image: Christopher Swann

A story about whales and humans

As well as working for WDC, I write books for young people. Stories; about the...
Risso's dolphin at surface

My lucky number – 13 years studying amazing Risso’s dolphins

Everything we learn about the Risso's dolphins off the coast of Scotland amazes us and...

We break for whales

These things happen when a bunch of orca aficionados get together… right in the middle of the first night of presentations (including an update on the Taiji drive hunts and the problems with sonar testing by the Navy), a small group of orcas passed by the island outside the house, and everything came to a halt.  The 30-40 people in attendance immediately rushed to the porch with binoculars, telescopes, and cameras.  “I hope this is a sturdy deck,” someone quipped.

The appearance of orcas reminded us why San Juan Island is the gathering place for the human Superpod – it is one of the best places in the world to see orcas, from land or from a boat.  Even in a room full of people who devote their lives to studying orcas and advocating for their protection, everything stops when a group of whales swims by.

Yesterday was World Orca Day, so it was only appropriate that we celebrate with the orcas themselves.  They have been out in force lately, and hopefully I will see much more of them during my week here.  Even after only one night, I am already buzzing with new information and excitement at the potential for learning. 

Today I am heading out to Lime Kiln State Park, home to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse and one of the best land-based whale watching places in the world.  This evening, we have a screening of Blackfish and a Q&A with some of the scientists and former SeaWorld trainers who appeared in the documentary.  Last summer, I was part of WDC’s screening and Q&A with director Gabriela Cowperthwaite in Boston, and I am excited to learn more from others who were involved with the making of Blackfish.

San Juan Island (SJI) is beautiful, and I have seen a number of seabirds on the ferry ride over, in addition to the orca visitors last night.  Sadly, I didn’t have my camera handy for last night’s sighting, but I am better prepared today and hope to get some good shots to share!