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This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller cuts on its back and head, broken ribs, and bruising. Photo: FWC/Tucker Joenz, NOAA Fisheries permit #18786

Emergency Right Whale Petition Seeks Overdue Protections From Vessel Strikes

This dead right whale calf had injuries consistent with a vessel strike, including fresh propeller...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...
Fin whale shot with two harpoons

Whalers kill just days after Iceland’s hunt suspension is lifted

Whalers in Iceland have claimed their first victims since the lifting (just a few days...

Sad Death Of Newborn Captive Beluga No Surprise

WDCS is saddened, but not surprised, by the death of a newborn beluga at the Georgia Aquarium in the US.  No sooner had the aquarium announced the birth of the newborn female beluga to first-time mother Maris, they were announcing her death just five days later. 

The Georgia Aquarium currently has four beluga whales, and with this unsuccessful attempt at captive breeding, WDCS remains concerned that the aquarium will seek belugas from other facilities, or the wild. 

WDCS opposes whales and dolphins in captivity, and encourages all facilities to phase out their whale and dolphin exhibits to end the suffering that occurs throughout the process of captivity, from capture and transport, to captive breeding and premature death.  WDCS applauds Ocean Park Hong Kong’s recent decision to not import beluga whales for a new polar exhibit, and hopes that the Georgia Aquarium can look to Ocean Park as an example, and work towards phasing out its beluga programme.

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