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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...

Farewell To An Old Friend…

Hi Everyone,

I meet thousands of people every year who come here to watch dolphins and out of the crowd there are always a few people who stand out. Christine Duggan (in the photo below) her Mum Jean and her Dad John have been coming up here to the Moray Firth ever since I started working at the Dolphin & Seal Centre at North Kessock in the mid 1990’s – indeed they were my very first visitors through the door. The Duggan family have been huge (and very long time) supporters of WDC – way back when the (WDCS) Adopt a Dolphin programme had Sundance first appearing as a young calf with the orangey yellow blotch on his dorsal fin that gave him his name and Christine adopted him right away, later adding Kesslet to her dolphin “family”.

 photo ChristineDugganweb.jpg

Very sadly Christine died earlier this year from a brain tumour that recurred after twenty years and I was proud to know her, be her friend and keep in touch about the dolphins over much of that period. I will miss her passion for the welfare of the dolphins, the many, many laughs that we have had together over the years and the way that her and Jean would grab a big bag and do impromptu beach cleans wherever they went. Sadly Jean passed away this year too so our thoughts at WDC are with John Duggan at this very sad time.

Charlie.