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Blue whale at surface

Creating a safe haven for whales and dolphins in the Southern Ocean

Emma Eastcott Emma is WDC's head of safe seas. She helps ensure whales and dolphins...
Humpback whale © Christopher Swann

Migration Patterns of Humpback Whales

Kidzone - quick links Fun Facts Curious kids Blogs Fantastic fundraisers Gallery Splish and Splash...
We're at COP28 to Save the Whale, Save the World.

We’re at COP28 to save the whale, save the world

Ed Goodall Ed is WDC's head of intergovernmental engagement. He meets with world leaders to...
Gray whales from drone.

We’re taking steps to uncover the mysteries of whales

Vicki James Vicki is WDC's protected areas coordinator, she helps to create safe ocean spaces...

Farewell To An Old Friend…

Hi Everyone,

I meet thousands of people every year who come here to watch dolphins and out of the crowd there are always a few people who stand out. Christine Duggan (in the photo below) her Mum Jean and her Dad John have been coming up here to the Moray Firth ever since I started working at the Dolphin & Seal Centre at North Kessock in the mid 1990’s – indeed they were my very first visitors through the door. The Duggan family have been huge (and very long time) supporters of WDC – way back when the (WDCS) Adopt a Dolphin programme had Sundance first appearing as a young calf with the orangey yellow blotch on his dorsal fin that gave him his name and Christine adopted him right away, later adding Kesslet to her dolphin “family”.

 photo ChristineDugganweb.jpg

Very sadly Christine died earlier this year from a brain tumour that recurred after twenty years and I was proud to know her, be her friend and keep in touch about the dolphins over much of that period. I will miss her passion for the welfare of the dolphins, the many, many laughs that we have had together over the years and the way that her and Jean would grab a big bag and do impromptu beach cleans wherever they went. Sadly Jean passed away this year too so our thoughts at WDC are with John Duggan at this very sad time.

Charlie.

About Charlie Phillips

Field officer - Adopt a Dolphin