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Sperm whales

We’re pushing governments for action for our climate heroes – whales

The climate crisis is the greatest threat to all life on Earth. But there is...
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

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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...

New species of dolphin found in Australian waters

Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have identified a previously unknown species of humpback dolphin living off the coast of Australia. By conducting genetic testing on hundreds of tissue samples, and studying hundreds of skulls, they concluded that enough genetic variation exists to distinguish a new, as yet unnamed species.

There has long been controversy over the number of species of humpback dolphin and until now they’ve been divided into two groups – one in the Atlantic Ocean and one found in other parts of the world. However, this research proves that the population of humpback dolphins is actually composed of four distinct species.

In addition to the newly discovered species, one of the current groups should be divided into two. The species occupy the eastern Atlantic Ocean off West Africa (Atlantic humpback dolphin), the central and western Indian Ocean (Sousa plumbea), the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans (Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin), and the waters off the coast of northern Australia (unnamed species).

Given that humpback dolphins are considered threatened in some parts of the world, this discovery is a critical step in efforts to conserve the dwindling numbers of humpback dolphins around the world.

About Nicola Hodgins

Policy Manager at WDC