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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...

Ukraine claims military dolphins died defending their country

Four years after requesting that Russia return dolphins trained to assist in military operations, Ukrainian officials, bizarrely, now say that the dolphins are probably dead but died after refusing to follow Russian military orders.

The dolphins, which are trained to identify underwater obstacles and mines, had been kept at the Cossack Bay aquarium in Sevastopol after falling into Russian hands when Crimea was annexed back in March 2014.

Boris Babin, the Ukrainian government’s representative in Crimea, has now claimed that the dolphins had died patriotically, defending their country. He said that the dolphins refused to follow orders or eat food provided by the “Russian invaders” and that the hunger strike led to their eventual death.

Dolphins have been used by the military mainly since the cold war, due to their extraordinary capabilities and use of echolocation.  The US navy also currently keeps dolphins in captivity for the same military purposes. 

‘Military dolphins’ are confined in captivity, which can cause them extreme mental and physical stress and suffer during transportation to facilities and in military operations.

WDC is working to establish a sanctuary for beluga whales held in captivity – read more.

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