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About whales & dolphins

Welcome to the world of whales and dolphins

We still know relatively little about many of these species. Some have only been identified from bones and live in the deepest and most remote places in the ocean. Only by finding out more about their lives can we develop meaningful conservation measures that will protect them and their homes.

Blue whale

The world of whales and dolphins

An introduction to these amazing creatures and their lives beneath the surface. There is so much we still have to learn...

Breaching North Atlantic right whale

Meet the whales

Whales come in all shapes and sizes. Some you will probably be familiar with, others are so elusive and rare that even scientists have never seen them!

Pair of leaping bottlenose dolphins

Meet the dolphins

From the awe-inspiring orca (killer whale) to the tiny franciscana, dolphins are incredible. They are perfectly adapted for their aquatic world.

Harbour porpoise

Meet the porpoises

Porpoises are smaller than most dolphins and generally shy. The seven species includes the vaquita, the most endangered species of cetacean.

Brain Power

Dolphins have long been recognised as having a high degree of intelligence and are often compared to humans and other animals. But how exactly do you measure how intelligent a dolphin is? After all, their needs are very different to ours.

Stories from the surface

We are still learning so much about whales and dolphins. From the discovery of fossils that help tell us how they evolved, to new species being identified, here are some of the latest stories about these amazing creatures.

Elusive whale seen alive for the first time

Using DNA evidence, scientists have been able to officially confirm the first live sightings of...
Fin whale

Fin whales return to old feeding grounds in Southern Ocean

An exciting discovery by researchers in the waters around Antarctica suggest that fin whales are...
Humpback whale underwater

Humpback whale rescued from shark net in Australia

A humpback whale and her calf have managed to escape after becoming entangled in a...
Amazon River dolphin (Boto)

River dolphins observed playing with anaconda

Researchers in Bolivia recorded an unusual interaction between local rivers dolphins and an anaconda snake...

Help us keep all whales and dolphins safe and free

By adopting a dolphin or by making a donation, you can help us protect these amazing creatures.

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin © Mike Bossley/WDC

Adopt

Adopt a dolphin and follow the lives of these amazing creatures.

Humpback whale

Donate

Your gifts help us take action to protect their homes.