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Dolphins captured for captivity in Taiji. Image: Hans Peter Roth

Loved and killed – whales and dolphins in Japan

Protests and criticism from outside Japan in response to the slaughter of whales and dolphins...
Narwhal with beluga whales

Unusual Whale Adoptions

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Irrawaddy dolphin

Helping fishers protect dolphins in Sarawak, Borneo

Fishing nets are bad news for dolphins and porpoises, so we're working with local fishers...
Dolphin watching from Chanonry Point, Scotland. Image: WDC/Charlie Phillips

Discovering inner peace – whale and dolphin watching and mental wellbeing

Guest blog If you've ever seen whales or dolphins in the wild, you'll know that...
Whale tail

An ocean of hope

In a monumental, jaw-dropping demonstration of global community, the nations of the world made history...
North Atlantic right whale Porcia and her calf.

Critically Endangered Right Whale Babies Spotted

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
The infamous killing cove at Taiji, Japan

Why the Taiji dolphin hunt can never be justified

Supporters of the dolphin slaughter in Japan argue that killing a few hundred dolphins every...
Image: Peter Linforth

Tracking whales from space will help us save them

Satellite technology holds one of the keys to 21st century whale conservation, so we're exploring...

We do not run from anything, We run for something…

Several months ago, the staff of the WDC North American (NA) office came up with the idea of a developing a “Fun Run” to promote Act Right Now, our campaign to save endangered North Atlantic right whales.  The 5K run was purposely scheduled for May 4th, a time of good weather, a date close to Massachusetts Whale Awareness Day (May 2nd), and a short time after the Boston Marathon.  

For those of us in the Boston area, the running of the marathon sparks the athlete in each of us.  Each year, a legion of new runners hits the pavement in April, testing the waters to see if, someday, they too, might be competing in the legendary race.  What better way to start than a fun 5K, we thought.  

And then, yesterday, tragedy struck in Boston.  At least three bystanders were killed and another 170+ injured as they cheered runners crossing the finish line.  Each of us in the NA office had friends and/or family either participating in, or watching the race.  We are lucky, none of our family and friends were injured but none of us are unharmed.

For those of us that grew up around Boston, the Boston Marathon is no different than New Year’s.  It’s a celebration, a mark in time, a date that we eagerly await each year.  “Heart break hill”, as it is known, is a location during the race where runners are said to face and overcome their exhaustion and power on.  This year’s heartbreak was markedly different.  But like the runners on the hill, we will face this tragedy and power on.  

We will not be canceling our run. By holding our Race to Save a Species we will run not just for right whales, but to honor the families struck by this tragedy.  We are a community and organization that does not run from difficulties, but runs and works for something.  Thanks to all who have reached out to us during this difficult time and to the supporters who continue to motivate us to run.  

About Regina Asmutis-silvia

Executive director - WDC North America