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WDC2023-007 NMLC Release (16)

Seal Rescued in Marshfield Released Back Into The Wild

For Immediate Release, May 31, 2023 PLYMOUTH, MA - A young male grey seal that...

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...

White harbour porpoise sighting in Baltic Sea

WDC has received footage of a white harbour porpoise, sighting in the Baltic Sea, close to the Great Belt in Denmark. White individuals are very rare among whales and dolphins, only 15 white harbour porpoise sightings have been reported in the past 100 years. Usually the harbour porpoise has a robust dark body, with a white or pale grey belly. They tend to be shy creatures and seldom come close to boats. However, on this occasion the porpoise was unusually curious, swimming close to the boat and following the crew for a while. The porpoise was accompanied by a more typical grey member of the species.

Weißer Schweinswal

Previously, a white harbour porpoise stranded in Germany in 2013, probably after getting injured by a marine propeller. “White harbour porpoises are very rare, so every sighting is a major event” according to Fabian Ritter, marine biologist at WDC. “It is important to report such sightings. They are of great scientific value to us.”

In recent years, a number of white whales and dolphins have appeared in the news. Albinism is rare amongst whales and dolphins but is found in a variety of different species.

Copyright photos & video: Peter Hofmann.