Captivity ‘done and dusted’ in Australian state
Officials in New South Wales (NSW), Australia have announced that captive dolphins will no longer be commercially bred or imported into the State. The new regulations were introduced by NSW environment minister Matt Kean and followed a public enquiry into captive dolphin shows and facilities, dolphin parks and circuses, and will see dolphin shows disappear.…
Read MoreStill no evidence dolphins cure human health issues says review
A review of the data behind Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) – the use of dolphins to treat people with mental and physical health concerns, has concluded that there is still no concrete evidence proving that it works. Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) encourages people suffering from a range of medical problems to enter the water with dolphins…
Read MoreSouth Korea cracks down on whale and dolphin captivity
South Korea’s government has indicated that it will ban new facilities from displaying whales and dolphins. The move comes as growing numbers of the population become aware of animal rights issues. The government has also said it will be issuing new regulations concerning the 23 existing aquariums in South Korea after around 20 marine mammals…
Read MoreThe last river dolphin
A river dolphin held captive in Duisburg Zoo, Germany, has died leaving just one remaining river dolphin in the world in captivity. Baby (also known as Orinoco or Butu) was 47 when he died at the zoo this week. He led a sad life, captured at a very young age together with his mother and…
Read MoreConservation groups call on the travel industry to help build a better post pandemic future for captive whales and dolphins
On the eve of the (virtual) World Travel Market event in London, WDC along with other welfare and conservation organisations have released a report calling on the travel industry to work with them and end support for whale and dolphin captivity shows, not prop up a cruel practice through ticket sales and promotions that shortens…
Read MoreBelugas take ‘little steps’ into the ocean sanctuary
We are pleased to confirm that beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, have taken their first swim in their open water sanctuary home in Iceland – a project that WDC is working on in partnership with the SEA LIFE Trust . Carefully monitored by the whales’ expert care team, Little Grey and Little White…
Read MoreWDC scientists join call for global action to protect whales and dolphins from extinction
Scientists from Whale and Dolphin Conservation, along with over 250 other experts from 40 countries, have signed on to an open letter calling for action to urgently address the precarious situation of many populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises, (collectively ‘cetaceans’) many of which face extinction threats due to harmful human activity such as incidental…
Read MoreBELUGA WHALE SANCTUARY UPDATE: Little Grey and Little White arrive safely after move to bay care area
We can now confirm that two beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, are now safely in their new sea sanctuary care area at Klettsvik Bay in Iceland. Watch the whales exploring the sanctuary The moving of the whales into the world’s first open water sanctuary for belugas, was completed on Friday 7th August at…
Read MoreBeluga Whale Sanctuary Update
We’re pleased to confirm Little Grey and Little White are now just days away from being moved from their land based care pool into their new open water home in Klettsvik Bay, Iceland. We appreciate people’s interest and excitement in their move, as Little Grey and Little White prepare for this next step. Their welfare…
Read MoreWhales in waters around Russia could still be captured
A Russian ‘expert’ working group has concluded that the exploitation of whales and dolphins for so-called cultural and educational purposes should continue. The working group was responding to a 100,000 thousand signature petition from members of the public in Russia asking the government there to end captures of orcas, beluga whales and dolphins for sale…
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