Dolphin pens identified at Russian naval base
Analysis of satellite imagery suggests that Russia may be using military dolphins at its naval base at Sevastopol in the Black Sea. Sea pens used to hold the dolphins have been identified near the entrance to the harbor. Tasks carried out by the dolphins may include searching for objects and patrolling local waters. The US…
Read MoreBeluga whale Kairo dies at Oceanogràfic València
A marine park in Spain has announced the death of one of the beluga whales it holds in captivity. Valencia’s Oceanografic released a statement that the male whale called Kairo had died after 20 years being held at the park. He was brought to the park from the Mar de Plata aquarium in Argentina. It…
Read MoreGiant new ‘halo’ habitat structure reaches beluga sanctuary after 16 hour sea journey
A specially designed floating habitat, that will provide an additional step to support the return of belugas, Little White and Little Grey to their open water sea sanctuary home, has arrived at its new remote Icelandic island location following an extraordinary 16-hour journey by tugboat. Created especially for the world’s first SEA LIFE Trust Beluga…
Read MoreHigh mercury levels found in Japanese dolphin meat
According to reports from Japan, police there are investigating the sale of whale and dolphin meat containing potentially illegal levels of dangerous toxins. Action for Dolphins group say tests on samples of meat sold in the coastal town of Taiji reveal mercury levels up to 25 times higher that safe limits set by the government.…
Read MoreSweden’s last dolphin shows to end
Sweden will become dolphinaria-free following the announcement by Kolmården Zoo in Stockholm that it will be closing its dolphin facility, which currently holds twelve bottlenose dolphins. The Zoo says it wants to focus on the conservation of endangered species and end its 50-year-old era of keeping dolphins. The dolphinarium will remain in operation until the…
Read MoreA happy ending for Tokitae (Lolita)? New Seaquarium owners commit to her retirement.
Tokitae, also called Lolita and named Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut by Washington State’s Lummi Nation, will no longer perform shows at the Miami Seaquarium, where she has been held since she was taken from her home waters in 1970. As a condition of the permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), new operators of the Florida facility…
Read MoreAnother beluga whale dies at Mystic Aquarium
Just six months after the loss of a whale called Havok, another beluga has died at the Mystic Aquarium in the Connecticut. Both belugas had been transported to the Mystic Aquarium from Marineland in Ontario, Canada in May 2021, along with three other individuals. The facility reported on its Facebook page that the female beluga,…
Read MoreRest In Peace Winter, 2005-2021
Winter the dolphin was born off the coast of Florida in 2005 where it was expected she would spend her life, traveling with family and friends, occasionally delighting surprised humans as her pod surfaced nearby. Her life took a very different turn when, at just a couple of months old, she accidentally became entangled in…
Read MoreExpedia No Longer Endorsing Interactions or Performances By Whales and Dolphins
WDC welcomes the news from online travel company Expedia Groups that they’ve updated their animal welfare policy to address captive-held whales and dolphins. Expedia will no longer sell activities for facilities that have interactions with or performances by whales and dolphins. This is a big step forward in the effort to end captivity for whales and…
Read MoreAlarming report raises worries for marine mammals held at the Miami Seaquarium
Leonardo Da Silva/Flickr A disturbing report on the conditions at the Miami Seaquarium from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), released along with an extensive interview from one of the facility’s former veterinarians, highlights the horrendous and dangerous treatment of marine mammals, including the endangered Southern Resident orca Tokitae (also called Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, or Lolita).…
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