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Dolphin in Brazil helping with fishing illustration

Dolphins and fishermen working together

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
Gray whale (eschrichtius robustus) Gray whale in Ojo de liebre lagoon Baja California.

Why we’re walking for whales to save the world

We've got enormous ambitions when it comes to fighting climate breakdown, and so two members...
Dolphins with keepers in the new Windsor Safari Park. Image: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo

Three decades on from UK’s last dolphin show, what needs to change?

The UK hasn't had captive whales and dolphins on display for 30 years, but it's...
Fishers' involvement is crucial. Image: WDC/JTF

When porpoises and people overlap

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Whale evolution cover

How did whales end up living in the ocean?

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

Scottish fishers working with us to reduce risks to whales

Small changes to fishing gear could make a big difference to whales around Scotland, and...

Mindful conservation – why we need a new respect for nature

'We should look at whales and dolphins as the indigenous people of the seas -...
tins of whale meat

How Japan’s whaling industry is trying to convince people to eat whales

Japan's hunters kill hundreds of whales every year despite the fact that hardly anyone in...

WDC launches major new captivity campaign

Today, WDC launches a major anti-captivity campaign aimed at the travel industry and their continued support for marine parks holding whales and dolphins in captivity. WDC calls on Richard Branson, as a founder of the Virgin brand and a member of the Ocean Elders group, to use his influence and stop Virgin Holidays promoting trips to SeaWorld parks. Other major UK travel companies promoting these trips include Cosmos, Thomas Cook, First Choice and Thomson.

Richard branson as PoseidonAs a passionate marine conservationist, Richard Branson, recently condemned the Taiji drive hunts in Japan where wild whales and dolphins are hunted each year or captured alive for captivity. Virgin Holidays promotes SeaWorld Parks which currently hold five  orcas in their tanks – whales who started their lives wild and free in the ocean.

There is no educational benefit in seeing orcas performing in circus style shows which have no value in informing the public about wild orcas and their habitats. Very little of SeaWorld’s annual revenue goes towards conservation.

Please join us in sending a strong message to Richard Branson and Virgin Holidays to end these promotions. Please sign our petition and share our campaign video – the more people who sign, the more chance we have of stopping the cruelty.