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About whales & dolphins

Welcome to the world of whales and dolphins

We still know relatively little about many of these species. Some have only been identified from bones and live in the deepest and most remote places in the ocean. Only by finding out more about their lives can we develop meaningful conservation measures that will protect them and their homes.

Blue whale blowing air out of blowhole

The world of whales and dolphins

An introduction to these amazing creatures and their lives beneath the surface. There is so much we still have to learn...

North Atlantic right whale

Meet the whales

Whales come in all shapes and sizes. Some you will probably be familiar with, others are so elusive and rare that even scientists have never seen them!

two dolphins diving down out of the water

Meet the dolphins

From the awe-inspiring orca (killer whale) to the tiny franciscana, dolphins are incredible. They are perfectly adapted for their aquatic world.

Harbour porpoise diving back into the water

Meet the porpoises

Porpoises are smaller than most dolphins and generally shy. The seven species includes the vaquita, the most endangered species of cetacean.

Brain Power

Dolphins have long been recognised as having a high degree of intelligence and are often compared to humans and other animals. But how exactly do you measure how intelligent a dolphin is? After all, their needs are very different to ours.

Stories from the surface

We are still learning so much about whales and dolphins. From the discovery of fossils that help tell us how they evolved, to new species being identified, here are some of the latest stories about these amazing creatures.

17 million year old whale found…459 miles from the sea!

Scientists studying the fossil (see image) of a beaked whale discovered in desert of west...

Research suggests up to three million whales were slaughtered in last century

Researchers in the US have released a study that estimates the number of whales killed...

WDC partner wins top marine conservation honour

WDC is pleased to report that Olga Filatova, who has previously worked with WDC on...

New WDC research reveals story behind whale scars

WDC research fellow and co-director of the Russian Cetacean Habitat Project, Erich Hoyt has revealed that...

Make a difference

Join our team  - no matter which way you choose, your commitment helps whales, dolphins, and our shared planet.

Save the whales, save the world.

Humpback whale spyhop

Adopt

Adopt a whale and help us protect these amazing creatures.

Bottlenose dolphin calf breaching with its whole body out of the water

Join

You can join our team and help us save whales and dolphins

Breaching North Atlantic right whale

Donate

Your gifts help us take action for whales and dolphins.

Orca spyhop

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