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Norway ups whale kill numbers and removes whale welfare protections

The whaling season in Norway has begun on the back of disturbing announcements from the...
Image taken from an unmanned hexacopter at >100ft during a research collaboration between NOAA/SWFSC, SR3 and the Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Research authorized by NMFS permit #19091.

Southern Resident orca petition to list them under Oregon Endangered Species Act advanced

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to advance a petition seeking to protect...
Hysazu Photography

WDC and Conservation Partners Continue to Seek Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

On Friday, April 21st, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will determine whether the petition...
WDC Seal Rescue April 2023 (1)

WDC conducts milestone seal rescue in Marshfield

For Immediate Release, April 10, 2023 MARSHFIELD, MA - A young grey seal was found...

Poll shows big jump in numbers of Americans opposed orca captivity

A new US poll commissioned by WDC together with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) has shown that US public opinion is turning against orca captivity. According to the poll, half of Americans oppose the practice of keeping orcas in tanks, with only 21 percent in favour of captivity. The remaining people asked were undecided. In addition, 82 percent said that the inability of killer whales to engage in their natural behaviours while in captivity is a “convincing” reason to end this practice, with 57 percent saying it is “very convincing.”

An identical poll of 1000 adults in 2012 revealed 39 percent against and only 26 percent in favour. This year’s results indicate an increase of 11 percent in the number of Americans opposed to orca captivity.