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Bottlenose dolphins breaching

Landmark report reveals UK wildlife’s devastating decline

With whales and dolphins already facing many threats, a landmark report released this week reveals...
Dolphins with oil rig

Go ahead for new UK oil and gas exploration threatens whales and dolphins

Permission has been granted for the development of the UK's biggest untapped oilfield off Shetland,...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...

Orcas from Iceland return to Scotland

Two orcas sighted back in March off the coast of western Iceland have been seen this week in northern Scotland.

Rob Lott, WDC’s orca expert, along with Icelandic colleague Baldur Thorvaldsson, photographed a whale known as 993 (below) alongside another orca, IS408 on March 4th. Yesterday, local wildlife enthusiast, Karen Munro, captured images of the two whales amongst a group of other orcas including a new calf, off Duncansby Head, near John o’ Groats, having completed a journey of around 1000 miles.

The month of May sees orcas returns to the waters around Northern Scotland where they have been seen chasing seals, having spent the winter months in Norway and Iceland feeding on herring and mackerel. Their travels around the North Atlantic and North Sea can see them cover thousands of miles each year.

For the past five years, their annual appearance in Scotland has been celebrated by Orca Watch, a week of events including talks and whale watching with expert guides. Rob will once again be taking part this year and giving talks, including one at WDC’s Scottish Dolphin Centre on May 28th. There is also the chance to get involved with WDC’s Shorewatch project and learn how to record whale and dolphin sightings around the Scottish coast.

About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.