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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...

Third dolphin dies at Dolphinaris Arizona

Yet another dolphin has died at Dolphinaris Arizona, the third to lose their life in less than two years at the marine park.  The death of Khloe, an 11-year-old bottlenose dolphin, was announced by the park on December 31st, 2018.  Dolphinaris Arizona notes the preliminary cause of death as a chronic illness caused by Sarcocystis, a parasite that can affect marine mammals such as dolphins, sea lions, and otters.

The controversial park opened in October 2016 despite opposition from WDC and many of our partner organizations, and declining support in North America for holding whales and dolphins captive.  Khloe’s death follows the loss of bottlenose dolphins Alia in May 2018 and Bodie in September 2017.  The park attributed the death of Alia to an acute bacterial infection, and of Bodie to a rare muscle disease, although a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that Bodie died from a fungal infection.

Although Dolphinaris Arizona has pledged to share results from necropsies (animal autopsies) with the veterinary community, they have not made the reports public.  SeaWorld has similarly refused to release necropsy results and veterinary records to the public, prompting a lawsuit from a coalition of environmental groups, including WDC.

Learn more about our work to end captivity, create the world’s first sanctuary for captive-held belugas, and make a donation to support our efforts.