00 Whale & Dolphin winter (December) 2020

Up in The magazine for supporters of WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation EXCLUSIVE the air ACCESS-ALL-AREAS INSIGHT Following the Moray Firth INTO THE BELUGAS’ JOURNEY dolphins during lockdown Winter 2020 Issue 92 Meet the campaigners working to END CAPTIVITY CAPTIVITY YES, I’LL HELP END CAPTIVITY NOW IS CRUEL. HELP US TO Please accept my gift of: £30 £50 £100 £250 Other £ END IT NOW I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to WDC for £ Please be assured any money donated over and above the needs of this appeal will be put to good use to help whales and dolphins. Under the Data Protection Act you have the right Or please debit my MasterCard/Visa/Amex/Delta to advise us at any time if you do not want to receive further mailings from WDC. WDC is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no. 2737421. Charity registered in Card No England and Wales no. 1014705. Registered in Scotland no. SC040231. Registered Office: Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham SN15 1LJ. Image: Shutterstock Valid from Expiry date 3 or 4-digit security code Please send me a thank you letter Cardholder’s name: Signature: Date: IF YOU ARE A UK TAXPAYER, THE VALUE OF YOUR GIFT CAN BE INCREASED BY 25% UNDER THE GIFT AID SCHEME. THIS MEANS A DONATION OF £30 WOULD BE WORTH AN EXTRA £7.50 TO US, AND IT DOESN’T COST YOU A PENNY. Yes, I would like WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, to claim Gift Aid on all my past, present and future donations. I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year, it is my responsibility to pay the difference. Gift Aid will be used to fund WDC’s general work. Please let us know if your circumstances change. PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO: END CAPTIVITY APPEAL, WDC, BROOKFIELD HOUSE, 38 ST PAUL STREET, CHIPPENHAM, WILTSHIRE SN15 1LJ

WDC EDITOR Welcome Julia Pix A sweapproach whalers have taken the opportunity NEWS EDITOR the end of this of the pandemic to slaughter even Danny Groves extraordinary more minke whales while the EDITORIAL BOARD year, I want to say world’s attention is elsewhere. Alison Wood, Rob Lott, Tracey Spencer a heartfelt ‘thank PUBLISHED BY WDC you’ for supporting It’s your continued support – Whale and Dolphin Conservation, exemplified by Katherine, Gary, Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ, us as we work together to protect Jai, Katie, Imran, Maddie, Hannah, United Kingdom Registered Charity No. 1014705 Chris Butler- whales and dolphins. William, Boorachat, Siddhant, Registered in Scotland No. SCO40231 Stroud, WDC What the world will be like in the Hardik, Yan and Zhiyan, whose Registered Company No. 2737421 chief executive stories we share in these pages – T +44 (0)1249 449500 (from outside UK) months to come we don’t know, but that means we can keep fighting for E [email protected] we do know that the climate crisis WDC also has offices in Argentina, Australia, Germany and the USA and all the other threats whales the amazing whales and dolphins PATRONS Julia Bradbury, John Craven, and dolphins face will not have with whom we share this planet. Jerome Flynn, Monty Halls, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Michaela Strachan gone away. Indeed, Norway’s Thank you. PUBLISHING AND ADVERTISING Managing editor Angela McManus 26 Sub-editors Sian Campbell, Andrew Littlefield Follow the gray Design Matthew Ball, whale’s amazing Amanda Richardson migration trail Advertising Alison Fraser Group account director Rachel Walder 14 Contents Think Scotland, Suite 2.3, Red Tree 21 Business Suites, 33 Dalmarnock Road, 24 04 Breaching news 21 Lockdown Glasgow G40 4LA Tel 0141 375 0504 Updates from the world Keeping up with Whale & Dolphin is published four times a of whales and dolphins, the dolphins during year and distributed to WDC supporters, including two welcome the pandemic institutions, conservation bodies and orca calves others involved in whale and dolphin 24 Fundraising conservation. Whale & Dolphin has been 10 Sanctuary news printed by Newnorth, on acid-free paper All you need for a that is produced from sustainable forests. Exclusive look at Little green Christmas Royal Roto is certified by the Forest White and Little Grey’s Stewardship Council (FSC), originates incredible journey 26 Flippin’ awesome in the Netherlands and is produced by SAPPI Europe, which holds ISO 14001 14 Campaigners Follow the gray whale’s certification and is a member of the amazing migration trail European Eco-Management and Audit How we support Scheme (EMAS). activists around the 28 Adoption updates Contributions: WDC cannot guarantee world working to end the return of unsolicited articles, whale and dolphin shows The latest news on photographs etc. Reproduction of your favourite dolphins, articles is not permitted without 18 Gallery humpbacks and orcas approval. Opinions expressed in Whale & Dolphin do not necessarily reflect A rare glimpse of 34 The last word those of WDC. belugas hunting in the ice We talk to animal lover Advertising policy: WDC reserves Deborah Meaden the right to refuse an advertisement without explanation. WDC does not necessarily endorse any of the products or services advertised. WDC is unable to recommend specific whale watching trips and cannot vouch for the quality of the trips advertised. ISSN 1470-4595 All images © WDC unless stated. Cover image: WDC/Charlie Phillips This page: Alamy DGmaoeotIrtaugVwgSr/ahaEpkdzaildaiolnesIspesNh’t,.!, Sign up for news by email at whales.org/newsletter facebook.com/ whalesorg @whalesorg @whalesorg youtube.com/ whalesorg Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 3

BreachingNews Updates from the world of whales and dolphins Belugas take Little Steps to new life in sanctuary home Little White and Little Grey are settling in well to their new world SEA LIFE TRUST/PA, SHUTTERSTOCK, WDC NA, CHRIS SLAY Our project with the SEA home and they adapted well expert team decided that, for Little White and Little Grey’s LIFE Trust to move two to their new surroundings. the moment, it is safest for the first year in the sanctuary was beluga whales, Little whales if they are looked after always planned to look different White and Little Grey, from Ideally this phase would in their custom-built landside to ongoing years. Of course it is captivity in China to the have happened in the spring, care pool. disappointing they can’t stay in world’s first whale sanctuary giving the whales and their the bay all winter this year, but in Iceland has taken some care team several months of They will be moved in a short remember, they have the rest of significant steps forward. We’re acclimatisation to life in the bay 45-minute operation and stay their lives to enjoy the sanctuary calling this phase ‘Little Steps’, before the Icelandic winter hit. until the milder spring weather and we have to get this right not because that’s what we and But what none us could have allows us to return them to the only for these two awesome the whales are taking. predicted was the impact of a bay to begin their new life there, individuals, but also for all the global pandemic. giving them plenty of time to other whales who may come The whales made good get ready for the next winter. here in the future. progress in their care pools in After Little White and Little the bay and in September were Grey’s successful first Little Little White and Little l You could help WDC and released to explore the wider Steps into the wider bay, the Grey’s welfare will always be the SEA LIFE Trust cover sanctuary. Their first swims out our priority and the decisions the costs of caring for were part of a carefully managed ‘We have to get this around their care made Little White and Little Grey programme to introduce them right for these two by the expert team are at whales.org/belugas into their much larger ocean awesome individuals’ informed by the advice of independent veterinarians. 4 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

EUROPE UNDER PRESSURE TO SAVE BALTIC HARBOUR AProuOndRPOISE Members of our scientific team have taken part Harbour porpoises in a virtual meeting of in the Baltic Sea are critically endangered northern European nations looking at how to save the critically Make sure endangered harbour you’re subscribed to our enews to keep porpoise population up to date on Little in the Baltic Sea. White and Little Grey’s welfare at The population is whales.org/ now only in the low newsletter hundreds and urgent Little White and Little Grey’s action is needed to implement strict plan for these porpoises welfare will always be our priority stop their extinction. measures to protect the and agreed to implement The meeting followed Baltic harbour porpoise. actions to address pressure from the EU Countries taking part their primary threats – Commission on the in the meeting committed entanglement and death member states to to a detailed conservation or injury in fishing nets. Two right whale babies have been lost to vessel injury Watch it again Call for new speed limits to protect North Atlantic right whales Little White and Little Grey’s W DC has led a whale was found dead off Devastatingly, these amazing journey home to petition to expand the coast of New Jersey were two out of only 10 the ocean is told in John speed limits for with propeller wounds baby whales born in the Bishop’s Great Whale Rescue, vessels along the US east across his head, chest and most recent calving season. a two-part documentary coast to protect critically tail, thought to have been series from ITV. endangered North Atlantic caused by run-ins with two Our petition asks US right whales. This fragile different vessels. authorities to expand Whale lover and comedian population of whales now the areas and times John reveals the complexities only numbers around Another calf was seriously when its existing 10-knot and dedication involved in 350 individuals. injured by a vessel off the rule for vessels applies, this world-first project. coast of Georgia and has and to make speed Available on ITV Hub In June, a baby right not been seen again. restrictions mandatory. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 5

BreachingNews Conflict between orcas and fishing boats seems to be on the increase Orcas ramming boats a mystery Competition for dwindling Atlantic bluefin tuna may be one of the reasons for this change in behaviour Reports of orcas Two orca pods in the but don’t look to cause harm, so deliberately colliding Strait of Gibraltar have these reports are surprising. with vessels in the waters learnt to ‘steal’ tuna around Spain and Portugal have from fishing drop lines We also know that orcas gather baffled experts. A number of around the tuna fishing fleet fishing boats and smaller craft in the Strait of Gibraltar during have been damaged by the orcas the summer, and have been over several months. photographed targeting tuna caught by the fishers on long We know of tetchy encounters lines under the water. between orcas and fisheries in ‘This is an uneasy relationship,’ some of these areas in the past, says WDC orca expert, Rob Lott. SHUTTERSTOCK, SARA HYSONG-SHIMAZU but it is fascinating, puzzling ‘The battle between the fishers and worrying to hear of this and this critically endangered behaviour. At this point we population of orcas for can only speculate as to why, overfished and dwindling Atlantic but we do know orcas are bluefin tuna could be part of the curious by nature. reason for this behaviour. Tuna Young orcas may be testing are highly prized and the boats their powers and satisfying their often try to drive away the orcas. curiosity. We know they often This may cause stress within the come close to check out boats small pod.’ 6 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

South Africa’s TENNIS PLAYERS Kevin Anderson RALLY TOGETHER had an ace World TO BACK WDC Whale and Dolphin Day We joined forces with in keeping the oceans players from the WTA healthy while fighting (Women’s Tennis the climate crisis. Association) and the ATP (Association of Tennis ‘I’m passionate Professionals) to about lending my voice celebrate World Whale and raising awareness and Dolphin Day. for World Whale and Dolphin Day,’ Kevin We were delighted Anderson said. that Julia Goerges, Donna Vekić, Lucie ‘Keeping the ocean Šafářová and Kevin free from plastic and Anderson helped to pollution is an initiative raise awareness of our I strongly support and work by adopting a I know these causes whale or dolphin, go hand in hand. sharing messages on Hopefully our message the threats that whales can go far so that others and dolphins face, and will take the issues these the vital role they play incredible creatures face very seriously.’ New calf Southern Resident gives fresh orca Tahlequah and hope for her new baby seen the future swimming together We are delighted that Tahlequah, an orca Along with the K and L pods, source, in the waters where Soon after Tahlequah’s baby from the critically the total population is only they live. Every calf is an was born, we received news of endangered Southern 73 orcas. important addition to the another birth in the population. Resident population, has population, though the Both new calves appear to be given birth to a new calf. These orcas face many death rate for orca calves healthy, swimming vigorously threats, in particular the loss is around 40%. alongside their mums. In 2018, Tahlequah made of salmon, their main food international headlines after Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 7 she was seen swimming more than 1,000 miles for two weeks with the body of her previous calf, after the baby whale died. Tahlequah belongs to the J pod of endangered Southern Resident orcas who live in the waters stretching from Northern California in the US to British Columbia in Canada.

BIG WIN! France to ban whale and dolphin captivity Ocean sanctuaries should be considered as an alternative home O ur ongoing campaigning be able to breed dolphins and people working in circuses and to end the exploitation orcas, or import them. marine parks find other jobs. of whales and dolphins for human entertainment has The French government Ocean sanctuaries are one received a big boost with the will implement a financial alternative for whales and announcement by the French assistance package to help dolphins currently kept in environment minister that the tanks. As well as helping to country will bring an end to this A captive orca establish the world’s first whale cruel practice. in France sanctuary in Iceland with the SEA LIFE Trust, with your Barbara Pompili, France’s support we are also working minister of ecological transition, revealed that in partnership with other a gradual ban is to be sanctuary projects. introduced on using wild animals in travelling We hope these initiatives circuses, keeping dolphins will encourage the and whales in captivity in rehabilitation of more marine parks, and raising whales and dolphins into minks on fur farms. France’s natural environments around three marine parks will now not the world, and one day help to bring an end to whale and dolphin captivity. WORRYING NEWS AS DOLPHINS MOVED FROM BARCELONA The three remaining We had hoped the SHUTTERSTOCK, ROB LOTT bottlenose dolphins held authorities would look at at Barcelona Zoo have been moved to the option of retiring Attica Zoological the dolphins to a Park in Greece. suitable marine sanctuary rather The move than move means there are them to now no captive another facility. dolphins in We will now Barcelona, redouble our following a 2018 efforts and work with decision by the city council to ban whale colleagues in Spain and and dolphin captivity. Greece to address this worrying new development. 8 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

BreachingNews France’s marine parks can no longer breed whales and dolphins Covid hits Vancouver Aquarium ticket sales and forces closure Officials from Vancouver A dolphin Aquarium have announced in 2018 that it would Helen, still show at announced the facility phase out its whale and dolphin alone at Barcelona Zoo will temporarily close while it captivity programme. Only Vancouver ‘revisits its business model’ to one captive dolphin remains, Aquarium make it more financially viable, and to align with its ocean a Pacific white-sided dolphin conservation mission. named Helen, and she will probably be moved Since the start of the to SeaWorld. pandemic the aquarium has experienced close to an 80% decline in ticket sales. More than 200 staff have lost their jobs, although a team of 75 specialised staff, including biologists, care experts and an on-site veterinary team, will continue to operate. After years of opposition from WDC, our supporters and other anti-captivity groups, Vancouver Aquarium Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 9

SANCTUARY NEWS Final checks Vets and staff at Changfeng Ocean World in China make sure Little White and Little Grey are fit and healthy before they are allowed to begin their journey. TESNI WARD/OLYMPUS BEHIND THE SCENES On the journey to sanctuary Exclusive pictures chart belugas’ move from China to Iceland S afely moving Little Little Grey from Changfeng Ocean White and Little Grey World in China to their new home in to their new home the world’s first sanctuary for captive in the world’s first whales in Iceland. sanctuary for captive whales has taken Between us, the members of the many years, a huge sanctuary team experienced the full amount of planning and an incredible spectrum of emotions as we ensured team of people. each stage went smoothly. Every step of the way was meticulously planned with With these previously unseen images, the welfare of the whales our number we bring you an access-all-areas insight one priority. We never took our eyes off into two of the most momentous days of our goal of giving these two incredible the project – bringing Little White and individuals a new life in the ocean. 10 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

Concentration The move team in China spend time going through one last equipment check before the belugas are lifted from their captive pool, leaving their old lives behind them. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 11

Keeping watch Nervous wait The expert transport team go James Burleigh, SEA LIFE Trust through a final practice ambassador and a key figure in session to move the two getting the sanctuary project off whales from the aquarium. the ground, waits nervously, This will be the first time looking out onto the runway at Little White and Little Grey Reykjavik Airport as the special have been outside Cargolux 747 cargo plane the building in carrying Little White and eight years. Little Grey comes Pressure into view. Ben Spinx, one of the key Safe arrival move logistics experts, works into the night to ensure Little Little White and Little Grey land in Iceland and are White and Little Grey’s transfer into the temporary transported, in their bespoke care area goes smoothly. crates, from the airport to the sanctuary care pool facility on the You can see the concentration etched island of Heimaey, south of the mainland. Time is critical on his face. – the belugas can’t be kept in their stretchers for too long. Welcome party Local people on the island hear of the belugas’ arrival and flock to the port to welcome their new neighbours. 12 WHALE&DOLPHIN Spring2020

SANCTUARY NEWS  Cleaning up Robin James, a member of the move team, cleans down one of the specially made stretchers after Little White and Little Grey are safely in the care pool area. Relief! Rob Hicks (welfare lead for the SEA LIFE Trust) and Andrew Greenwood (vet), discuss a job well done. Andy Bool (left), head of the SEA LIFE Trust, is delighted with the move. A bright future WSpinritnegr2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 13 WDC’s expert sanctuary team, Danny Groves, Rob Lott and Cathy Williamson, visit Little White and Little Grey’s new ocean sanctuary home (left) the day before the move. This space couldn’t be more different to the now empty show pool in China (right) where these two phenomenal whales no longer have to perform tricks for their food.

CAMPAIGNERS Successful campaigning starts at home Grassroots activists played a vital role in closing whale and dolphin shows in the UK. Now we support the people trying to shut them down in their countries Protesters in South Korea highlight the cruelty of riding on whales and dolphins 14 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

A beluga forced CATHY WILLIAMSON to perform leads WDC’s efforts to end captivity I ’ve been working to end the capture, trade and keeping of Supporting grassroots whales, dolphins and porpoises activists globally in captivity for more than 20 years. When I started in my role Europe at WDC in 1998, the UK no longer had any captive As a member of Dolphinaria-Free dolphin attractions and so my efforts Europe, we work with groups and are international. individuals across Europe to address proposals to establish What we’ve always tried to do, and new dolphinaria and support the what is essential for our success, is to development of legislation to phase find, support and work with local, out captivity. like-minded, groups and individuals. Caribbean Success may be preventing the construction of a new dolphinarium, Local people provide local stopping the capture of whales and knowledge we can use in dolphins from the wild or their communications to governments and import from one country into other stakeholders to persuade them another or, more recently, creating not to allow captive facilities or sanctuaries for captive individuals. dolphin imports to go ahead. In every case, having someone we can turn to in the country of focus, India who understands the local politics and public attitudes and knows or can meet Local experts helped us persuade with the decision-makers, can help turn the authorities to ban dolphinaria a tricky situation in our favour. throughout the country. A campaigner in In June individuals from 10 different South Korea, animal protection and environmental groups gathered in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun where there are Square to demand the closure of Geoje Sea eight whale World, one of South Korea’s eight facilities and dolphin holding whales and dolphins. In what would facilities seem to be a truly extreme form of entertainment, the facility reportedly allows visitors to ride on the backs of captive belugas and bottlenose dolphins. CALL TO STOP IMPORTS Highlighting the possibility of disease transmission, the risks to the health and welfare of whales and dolphins, and the lack of education provided by the facility, the groups also called on the government to prohibit the import of endangered species. Many dolphins in South ‘We’ve always tried to work with local groups and individuals’ Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 15

CAMPAIGNERS KOREAN ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION, MARINE CONNECTION, CHINA CETACEAN ALLIANCE, SHUTTERSTOCK History of captivity Korean tanks were captured in brutal drive In China, WDC is a member of the China in the UK hunts in Japan. A petition calling for legal Cetacean Alliance, working with groups protection for marine mammals in South based there and internationally to expose Between 1963 and 1993 there were Korea collected more than 40,000 signatures. the import and display of a rapidly well over 30 captive whale and increasing number of wild-caught whales, dolphin attractions in the UK. Some There is growing opposition to whale and dolphins and porpoises in the country. operated seasonally, but they held dolphin captivity in South Korea, supported hundreds of dolphins, from Blair by the strength of campaigning groups SPREADING AWARENESS Drummond Safari Park in the north to working to address this issue, including Margate in the south. the Korean Animal Welfare Association Investigators can visit facilities, report on and Hot Pink Dolphins. South Korea is one conditions and use Sina Weibo, one of the 1963 of only a few countries where captive biggest social media platforms in China, dolphins from local populations have been to spread awareness. The Alliance has Flamingoland is the first park in returned to the wild. produced two reports on the status of whale modern times to display dolphins. and dolphin captivity in China, including a comprehensive guide to relevant legislation. 1977-1991 It has also run awareness raising events and produces educational materials. Winnie the orca is held at Windsor Safari Park in a pool just twice ‘When I see your her length. photos of the 1980s protest in the UK, I see Late 1970s and early 1980s more hope in Korea’ Clacton-on-Sea in Essex displays orcas in a former swimming pool on the pier. 1985 In response to activist pressure, the UK government commissions a review of dolphinaria which reveals major inadequacies in conditions. 1986 Facilities are told that to continue they must build larger and deeper tanks specific to the species being held and must do so by 1993. 1987 Newly formed charity, the Whale Conservation Society (as we were then), continues the pressure and co-authors a report exposing the poor conditions in which captive dolphins in the UK are kept. 1989 The financial implications of rebuilding and expanding are considered too much for the three attractions still open. 1993 Flamingoland announces it is shipping the last remaining dolphins to Europe and the curtain finally falls on dolphin shows in the UK. Right: Campaigners outside Windsor Safari Park in the 1980s 16 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

APPEAL  Dolphins and trainers Your support is vital in in a facility in China the fight to end captivity where WDC is working With your help we can work with with the China campaigners around the world Cetacean Alliance M ore than 3,500 whales and dolphins DONATE are held captive in 60 countries. TODAY Because of your support we’ve been able to build relationships ONLINE: with local organisations and individuals who, whales.org/endcaptivitynow like us, believe whales and dolphins have the right to live safe and free. CALL: 01249 449500 It’s imperative that we continue to share Or use the form attached our expertise with others and work alongside to the cover of your them in a global effort to end captivity. Will you help us today with a donation? magazine A gift from you today will help us: • Stop the capture of whales and dolphins from the wild • Stop the trade in whales and dolphins • Prevent the construction of new dolphin attractions • Create more sanctuaries for captive individuals The picture on the first page of this Please help with a donation of £30, or whatever feature, showing activists protesting against you can afford. Together we can end captivity. whale and dolphin captivity in South Korea, reminds me of the photograph (below left) Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 17 from the 1980s of campaigners outside Windsor Safari Park in the UK, before the last facilities closed. I shared the Windsor image with Paul, one of the South Korean activists, who told me, ‘Sometimes I wonder if our protest campaign is effective or not. But when I see your photos of the 1980s protest in the UK, I see more hope in Korea. I hope we can end captivity soon like the UK did.’ I’m so proud that the efforts of campaigners, including the Whale Conservation Society as we were then, led to the closure of all captive whale and dolphin facilities here in the UK. I truly hope that one day soon, Paul and the South Korean campaigners and all the other anti-captivity activists we support around the world will enjoy the same sense of pride as they persuade the decision-makers in their countries to end the cruelty.

Nexoprothseurrne A bird’s-eye view of belugas hunting in freshly broken ice Looking down at these belugas, you’re witnessing them from a very unusual viewpoint. Doug Allan captured this image while filming in Lancaster Sound off the north coast of Baffin Island in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Doug told us: ‘It was early June as the ice was beginning to break up. The belugas use the newly formed cracks as pathways, allowing them to penetrate deep into what was only a few days earlier solid ice, thereby gaining access to fish under the ice. I took the picture from a microlight. Flying enabled us to find belugas in areas that were impossible to access by snow machine. Magic stuff!’ You’ve probably enjoyed Doug’s filming on Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and numerous other series. He was in the camera crews that captured many on- screen firsts, including orcas attacking gray whales off California, polar bears trying to catch belugas in a frozen hole in Arctic Canada, and orcas washing seals off ice floes in Antarctica. You can enjoy this picture and many others, along with some great behind the scenes stories, in Doug’s book Freeze Frame, available through dougallan.com 18 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

GALLERY  Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 19

Have you played our Christmas raffle yet? Bamboo TissueAs one of our valued supporters, you care about amazing whales and dolphins. Will you help 100%them by playing our raffle today? Would you like to win the £1,000 jackpot or one of nine other cash prizes? Enter Enter for just £1 for just Closing date: 18 January 2021 Terms and conditions apply It’s easy and secure – just visit of WDC’s Green Whale programme £1raffleplayer.com/wdc or call 01628 511T7h0e2Cheeky Panda is a proud funder e! SO GOOD FREESNUSETVAIENRABFILEILTYT PLASTICThe Cheeky Panda is a proud funder of WDC’s Green Whale programme! TB1AI0SM0SBU%OEO 2fcir0osdt%eo‘rWdOeDr CwF2it0Fh’ TheCheekyPanda.co.uk 20 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020



CHANONRY CHALLENGES  CHARLIE PHILLIPS is WDC’s adopt a dolphin field officer Anyoeoatrhleikre It hasn’t been easy during lockdown, but keeping track of the Moray Firth dolphins is always a joy Charlie Phillips on the lookout for familiar fins and, inset, adoption dolphin Charlie Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 21

CHANONRY CHALLENGES Left: WDC supporters watch Rainbow Right: Rainbow turns tail in the sunrise ALL IMAGES WDC/CHARLIE PHILLIPS D olphins were coming I don’t mind admitting I was crying Indigo breaching in and out of the with relief. in the Moray Firth Chanonry Narrows area throughout January Catching up wasn’t as difficult as I gave birth on 9 August, which was a lovely and February and thought it might be. There were plenty surprise, and Sickle, one of the females who I’d taken a few early of dolphins hunting the seasonal salmon had been in Holland last year with Mischief, photographs. Then, and it didn’t take long to suss out which has returned home and had a baby too. in the middle of March, just as I had had dolphins were around, and who wasn’t. a new camera system delivered and was Spirit and my namesake Charlie were gearing up to start my season properly, the TOUGH CHOICES around Chanonry later in the season, pandemic struck and we were in a whole hunting further out to sea. I’ve not been able new, locked-down world. Kesslet, Moonlight and Mischief were all to join the Aberdeen University staff out on notable absentees and we had to make survey boats because of social distancing I’m fortunate that I was able to work from the tough decision to retire them from the rules, but I have managed a couple of home for most of the lockdown period and adopt a dolphin programme. Kesslet hasn’t private charter trips and, as well as I had sightings trickling through from locals been seen for ages, Mischief is living off the dolphins, I have seen some basking sharks. who were spotting dolphins while out on coast of Denmark and Moonlight has made their daily exercise. a new home for herself and her family off Things are still not back to ‘normal’ but the Isle of Man. as the socially distanced crowds thin away It wasn’t until the Scottish government and the days get shorter, I am thankful for eased the restrictions at the end of May that According to Dr Barbara Cheney at the still being able to work at what I love doing. I could get back to work in the open, with Lighthouse Field Station at Cromarty, there I hope that all of you amazing supporters lots of precautions to ensure I and those are at least 25 or so well-known dolphins and adopters are keeping well and that around me were safe. missing from the population, so the search next year might be better for whales, is on for them – who knows where they dolphins and us. BACK AT CHANONRY POINT will show up! On the afternoon of 29 May I stepped There are plenty of new arrivals in the back onto the shingle peninsula at Chanonry population too – the wrinkly little bundles Point and for a while I had the beach to of joy that are newborn dolphins. Rainbow myself – a surreal experience in what should be the high season for dolphin watching. ‘I breathed out to calm myself. I don’t The first dolphins I managed to focus mind admitting I was on were Porridge and her youngster and crying with relief’ as I pressed the shutter button on my camera, I breathed out to calm myself. 22 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

WDC SCOTTISH DOLPHIN CENTRE A warm welcome on the shores of the Moray Firth The kids’ THE PERFECT Adults receive Thanks to everyone who supported adoption CHRISTMAS GIFT an adoption us by visiting our Scottish Dolphin pack includes pack with Centre during this difficult summer stickers, Adopt a dolphin, orca or humpback a gorgeous and autumn. It was lovely to see you a badge, for someone you care about. cotton after being closed for several months. a certificate bag and and Splash! They’ll love hearing about them personalised From mid-July to the end of magazine in this magazine and in their certificate October, our visitor centre on the monthly update email. shores of the Moray Firth was open as a takeaway cafe with social Your generous gift will help us keep distancing, protection and enhanced whales and dolphins safe and cleaning processes in place. free all over the world. whales.org/adopt As well as enjoying our warm welcome and great tea, coffee and home-made cake, visitors were treated to some fantastic dolphin watching. At this challenging time, it is even more important for our wellbeing to connect with nature and we were happy to be able to help so many of you enjoy that connection. We’ll decide on 2021 opening nearer the time. WHAT OUR VISITORS SAY Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 23

SUPPORT WDC We’re dreaming of a green Christmas The festive season is almost upon us, so let’s make sure our celebrations are good for the planet and for whales and dolphins For a little while this year we reduce reliance on single-use plastics was While we missed family and friends breathed fresher air, the undone as we turned to online supermarket during lockdown, did we really miss any of world seemed quieter and our shopping with its plastic packaging and the ‘stuff’ made from, or packaged in, plastic environment cleaner. We loved delivery bags. that we couldn’t get out and buy? all those photos and videos of wildlife reclaiming territory as lockdown brought a Over Christmas our celebrations will Picture a plastic bag floating, handles heightened appreciation of nature. generate vast quantities of plastic, wrapping down in the sea, or a so-called ‘disposable’ and excessive packaging. All this plastic has face mask or glove drifting under the Sadly, with the pandemic also came a the potential to end up in the ocean, where surface, and it’s easy to imagine how a new pollution in the form of masks and it is a huge danger to whales and dolphins whale or dolphin could mistake it for a latex gloves, and much of our work to and other marine life. jellyfish and eat it for lunch. THE WDC GREAT MIGRATION IS UNDER WAY First to finish was Gary B who walked an incredible 412 miles in a month raising a fintastic £695. Jai Burton migrated 100 km along the Jurassic Coast raising a mammoth £270. A big round of a-paws to Katie Cunningham and her spaniels, Bella and Flint who went for a 500-mile walkies over two months - they raised a phenomenal £1,000! Join in at: whales.org/ thegreatmigration 24 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

SHUTTERSTOCK You’re all amazing! WHAT CAN I DO? Maddie knits and sells beanies to 1. Adopt a whale or dolphin as a Christmas gift help whales and dolphins 2. Ask for donations for WDC instead of presents GETTING CRAFTY 3. Donate your Birthday in 2021 A whaley big thank you to Maddie Brasier from Tasmania, who has been knitting – find out how at colourful whale-themed beanies and selling them via Etsy www.etsy.com/au/shop/ Whaletailhats and at a local market stall. To date, she has raised a fantastic whales.org/birthday AUS$500 to support our work. 4. Go Christmas shopping HAPPY BIRTHDAY Katherine at whales.org/shop or whales.org/shopwithapartner Katherine Jones donated her birthday, raising a brilliant £121.75. If we save the whales, we save the An architect and talented artist, world. Our planet needs healthy seas, Katherine has also created a range and whales and dolphins play a vital role of exquisite whale and dolphin cards in the ocean ecosystems. When you are and prints especially for WDC. planning your Christmas, take a look back Find them at whales.org/ at what you truly valued during lockdown, shopwithapartner what you are appreciating most now, and pledge to make your festive season as green ORCA MARATHON ENDLESS as possible. Christmas doesn’t have to cost By running a LOCKDOWN the Earth! marathon up and William, Boorachat, Siddhant, Using brown paper, string and Hardik, Yan and Zhiyan, Master’s natural decorations could all down Brighton students from University of Bath help reduce the impact of School of Management, spent Christmas on the ocean seafront lockdown raising money to help end lockdown for whales and dolphins. SHOUT OUT dressed as an They created a video and, with a graphic kindly donated by artist MJ A massive thank you orca, Hannah Hiblen, their Facebook page reached to GAME for their donation hundreds of students across India, of £17,000, raised through Elms raised China and the UK. They held online quizzes and raised £200. efforts to reduce more than the impact of carrier £700 to help us Hannah bags used in their end captivity! shops Hannah said: ‘During lockdown our freedoms were taken away. Thankfully this has only been temporary, but for captive whales and dolphins this is their reality every day.’ JUST THE TICKET OVER Imran Khan won a runners-up prize in our £15k summer raffle. He said: ‘It was a lovely surprise RAISED after adopting Bend for nearly three years! My five-year-old son, Emin, is so passionate about his favourite orca.’ A big thank you if you played our summer raffle – you helped raise £15,566. You could be a winner too by playing our Christmas raffle; find out more on page 20.

FACT FILE Awesome Migration celebration DKidnoYwou?tbromapSlpreocoiecitupehnslfnoteo.twisystriSeshhhshttdiassoeeeletaedihahnmlsdatlelhvocimnyureowegnilsgadrateikrlshbaicwrnelteeeeeaiasnrattsstntesolooeyrdk.nnditnthoiaetol Humpbacks and gray whales make the longest voyages of all species ALAMY, CHRISTOPHER SWANN While travel has environments for babies. of the underwater world, with been on hold for Whales are powerful gray and humpback whales many humans, the making the longest voyages. seasonal journeys swimmers and remarkable of whales continue. Food is navigators and these skills  Join the WDC plentiful in cold, nutrient-rich enable them to make long Great Migration at waters near the poles, but warm migrations between their two whales.org/thegreatmigration. equatorial waters provide better homes. Baleen whales are How far will you migrate? the long-distance truckers 26 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

3 Round trip 4 December to February 2 MEXICO 1 1 Babies are born in shallow FOLLOW lagoons where they are relatively THE GRAY safe from orcas. Newborns don’t WHALE TRAIL have much blubber to keep them cosy and buoyant so these warm, salty Gray whales travel close waters are perfect for them. to shore and so their migration February to April journey is well known. They commute between MIGRATION NORTH BEGINS Arctic feeding grounds 2 Mothers with babies are the and breeding grounds last to leave, buying time for their nursing youngsters to get in Mexico. stronger and fatter before setting off. They swim closely together and baby Gray whale mothers are will sometimes ride on Mum’s back or extremely affectionate and tail as she protects them from orca fiercely protective of their calves attacks. The whales travel day and night, averaging about 75 miles (120km) per day. The migration takes two to four months. May to October THE BERING SEA BETWEEN ALASKA AND RUSSIA 3 The whales feed continuously to build up a thick blubber layer ready for their migration south. Once they leave they won’t eat much until they return the following spring. They leave huge mouth prints behind as they scoop up mud to eat the little creatures that live on the seabed. Short baleen is perfect for feeding DKindoYwo?u October to November on the seafloor without getting snagged on rocks Over their lifetime, gray HEADING SOUTHWARDS whales migrate approximately ALONG THE NORTH 750,000 miles (1.2 million km) AMERICAN WEST COAST which is equivalent to 4 Pregnant whales tend to travelling from the Earth to leave first to make sure they arrive in Mexico in time to the Moon, back to the have their babies. The rest of the Earth, then back to whales follow them southwards. the Moon. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 27

Dolphin mSuyrsptreisrieesbsaoblyveadnd diaries D olphin babies have Here in the Inner Moray By WDC’s adopt a been born, and we’ve Firth off the coast of Inverness, dolphin field officer, managed to solve a Scotland, as the salmon Charlie Phillips few mysteries about migration finishes, the dolphins the whereabouts of some turn their attention to hunting ‘missing’ dolphins. Moonlight other nutritious fish. It’s has surprised everyone by thrilling to watch dolphins turning up with a new calf racing past, accompanied by off the coast of the Isle of Man, seabirds, as they head out to and Mischief has been located sea in search of big offshore in Denmark. shoals of mackerel. Rainbow And her bundle of joy Rainbow has a beautiful new bundle to dolphin adopters baby. He or she was born watching from Chanonry Point in early August, and is such this summer. Rainbow has been a lovely surprise for us all. catching plenty of fish and Rainbow lost a calf last year eating well so she can produce and bottlenose dolphin females rich, fatty milk for her baby, often give themselves a rest who is filling out fast. before trying for another. I’ll be keeping a close eye on I have enjoyed pointing out them as it’s a major hurdle for (from a safe distance!) young dolphins to get through Rainbow and her cute their first winter safe and well. Indigo Say hello The newest addition to our at his mum’s side helping to Mischief Enjoying oceans new adoption programme, Indigo look after his baby brother WDC/CHARLIE PHILLIPS is Rainbow’s cheeky and or sister. In August, we heard that you regular updates about exuberant eight-year-old Mischief has been exploring his antics and so we have son. He seems full of fun Sometimes he swims Ho Bugt Bay, near Esbjerg on taken the difficult decision and affection for his mum right beside Rainbow, Denmark’s west coast. He’s to retire Mischief from our and friends. He has an older coordinating his movements with dolphins from the group adoption programme. brother, Prism, who lives off with her – he seems to be he was travelling with off the the coast of Aberdeen. on guard, protecting her Netherlands last year as well Although we’ll miss sharing and her baby, which is very as some new friends. news about him here, it’s Indigo is growing into a touching to see. important to remember that powerful young dolphin His ongoing absence from all the adoption dolphins and can already reach Spirtle, the female dolphin the Moray Firth makes it and whales are free to live astonishing bursts of speed who has sunburn scars, is impossible for us to bring wherever they are happy. while hunting fish or playing another of Indigo’s friends. with his buddies. I see him They are the same age and most days hunting fish with spend a bit of time together. his best friend, Charlie, or I hope you enjoy reading about Indigo’s adventures. 28 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

ADOPTIONS  Charlie Having fun fattening up Charlie has been a fairly regular visitor to the Chanonry Point area over the last few months. He is often accompanied by his good friend Indigo, who is Rainbow’s son. These two boys spend most of their time together, either having a go at catching some of the salmon that are getting rarer this late in the season or, more often, catching mackerel coming in from the outer areas of the Moray Firth. Both are oily fish and great for dolphins to eat at this time of year. They need to build up their blubber layer and fatten up so they can stay warm throughout the winter in these freezing cold Scottish waters. Spirit Signs of romance HELP US NAME SPIRIT’S BABY I have enjoyed watching is one of Spirit’s three older dolphin. He may have Spirit and her youngest calf, daughters. We think it’s about romantic intentions We don’t yet know who is now three years old, time Spirit’s youngest had a and Spirit seems whether her three-year- swimming together in and name and so we’re inviting you quite relaxed in old is male or female, out of the Chanonry Narrows to make some suggestions. his company but this little one area. The last time I spotted – love may be already has quite an them, I was delighted to see Spirit can often be seen in the air, or at adventurous personality. Sprite was with them too. She hanging out with Beatrice, least underwater! His or her new name will who is a big, powerful male be announced in your next Whale and Dolphin. Send your suggestion (one name only) to: [email protected] by 15 February 2021 using the phrase ‘Spirit’s baby’ in the subject line. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 29

Humpback Nature’s comfort headlines L ike most other things get back out on the water to By executive director of in 2020, our whale search for and photograph WDC North America, watching season was some of the humpback whales Regina Asmutis-Silvia a bit different. Most before they started to head of the usual whale watching back to the Caribbean. Salt opportunities in the spring and Mum’s the word summer were not available as In a year when spending the boats were unable to go out time in nature has been such Salt’s youngest baby, born last until later in the season. an oasis, our appreciation for year, has now been named Saline. these wonderful whales, and Salt’s family has continued We were very relieved and for any time we had near the to grow with the arrival of a excited when we could finally ocean, is enormous. new grandchild and her third great-grandchild. In June, Salt’s granddaughter Etch-A-Sketch was spotted with her third baby, and in late August we saw Salt’s daughter Sanchal with her second baby. It was very exciting to discover Sanchal and her little one logging (sleeping) side-by- side at the surface. Salt’s family tree now boasts a very impressive 34 whales – she has 15 children, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Including Salt, 11 members of the family were spotted and photographed this year. ALEX HILL, PAUL ROBINSON Midnight Out of range put on hold this year due to the pandemic. late and there were fewer trips than usual, Researchers’ movements are further there has been quite a reduction in the Like Pepper, Midnight has been spending restricted as they are not able to cross the time spent looking for whales this year. her time feeding in areas outside the whale Canada–US border, although the whales Even so, the good news is that there were watching boat range in the Gulf of Maine. continue to do so. 41 mother and calf pairs recorded and Unfortunately the whale research boat more than 300 whales seen altogether. surveys which travel further, and so have As the whale watching season started a better chance of spotting Midnight, were 30 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

ADOPTIONS  Reflection Is she or isn’t she? Once again Reflection lived up to her reputation new baby by her side. We will all have to wait for being one of the first humpbacks spotted patiently until next spring to find out. back here on the feeding grounds. She returned safely from the Caribbean following her annual The area we explore when we go whale migration to the breeding grounds. watching is always popular with mothers with new babies and this year was no exception – We’re hoping she might be pregnant as it is sometimes we saw six or more mother and calf now three years since she came back with a pairs on a single whale watch. Pepper Elusive adventurer For a couple of years in a row, Pepper seems to have found good places to feed. It just happens that these locations are outside the range of our whale watching trips. Pepper and all of the adoption humpbacks are members of the Gulf of Maine population. Covering 36,000 square miles (93,240 square km) from Massachusetts up into Atlantic Canada, the Gulf of Maine is enormous, much of it far from the coast and not visited by whale watching boats. Although we haven’t seen Pepper for a while, we’re not worried as we only see about 25% of the humpback whales who live in this area each year. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 31

Orca Spellbinding sound odysseys O rcaLab has collect information on ocean By OrcaLab founders, Helena joined an exciting conditions, including the Symonds & Paul Spong project to collect impact of boat noise. orca sound recordings in areas of the With five hydrophones now British Columbia coast from installed, the remote network Saturna Island to Fin Island. is achieving wonderfully Each site is being equipped clear whale recordings that with hydrophones that can have left us spellbound. consistently monitor and You can enjoy them too at orca-live.net/community Simoom Elusive this season Bend’s family has departed. These two groups often share the role of orca hosts, sometimes overlapping There has been barely a word on the whereabouts of their visits before the baton of responsibility is Simoom all season. We know she was seen on 26 June near handed over. Princess Royal Island with the A4 orcas. Although we later encountered the A4s, Simoom’s group had disappeared. Simoom also tends to stay into the late We’re not overly worried as the coast is very big and not autumn. Her companions outside her very populated. There are plenty of places where she might immediate family include Holly’s family, be. We need to trust all is well. whose whereabouts are also unknown. Perhaps they are together. Simoom has tended to delay arrival in this area in recent years. Perhaps we can anticipate her return now that JARED TOWERS, SHARI MANNING, JACKIE HILDERING Bend Sibling surprise The big exciting news is that Bend, Klaoitsis and Alder have a new baby brother or sister. Their mother, Clio, tragically lost her last baby just two years ago so this little one swimming with the family is a welcome sight. Bend has been busy looking after her son, Jamieson, who is now six years old and showing the growing confidence of a young juvenile. They travelled, hunted and went to the pebbly rubbing beaches together, even when Bend was distracted by the attentions of orcas like Fife. There were lots of orca families to enjoy the company of as well as plenty of salmon, Bend’s favourite food. Bend’s family left in the midst of a crowd on 31 August. They were seen north of Klemtu on 4 September (225km away), hopefully finding what they need and want. 32 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

ADOPTIONS  Holly Heading north community members and regroup north again and there has been no before returning sometime in August. further news. It was exciting to see Holly make an early season appearance! On 1 Prior to being here she was seen Usually we would have been July she arrived, along with Skagit’s near Prince Rupert on 13 April, able to report on Holly’s summer and Springer’s families. We had off Kitkatla on 4 May, and in activities, about her family’s visits been lulled into thinking she would Whale and Squally Channels on to the rubbing beaches, their not come back until much later. 21 June, all locations further north. companions, and how the young ones Her habits have been to stay in the She only stayed in this area for Georgia Strait area until spring, two days before retreating are faring. Patience is the operative head north, reconnect with other word. She will return, eventually! Fife Unusual behaviour Fife was in the Johnstone Strait area for at least 30 days this season. This effort spanned July, August and the first part of September, and his family spent time in eastern Johnstone Strait in mid- September – reminiscent of what Holly’s family likes to do. Barely here in July, Fife’s family kept up better appearances in August, participating in the busy orca social scene for around 20 days. September brought a lull in orca activity. For a full week there were no resident orcas until Fife’s family came back on 6 September. After a couple of days touring the area they headed east, returned quietly on 9 September, and then went further east again on 10 September, all the while hardly making any calls. These unexplained variations in behaviour remind us that there is still much to understand. We do wonder if Fife might miss company. Perhaps he is pacing himself for when others might return. Winter2020 WHALE&DOLPHIN 33

THE LAST WORD Q&A Deborah wants to put an The ocean and end to underwater noise its inhabitants are in trouble. That is why WDC is so important – to show us what we can do to help Deborah Meaden The animal-loving business woman loves horse riding, home and drinking cups of tea I f you’ve watched her on Dragon’s Den, Who, dead or alive, would you like to be you’ll know that Deborah Meaden is stuck with for a year on a desert island? passionate about environmental issues Bear Grylls. and animals. You may also have seen her invest in our partner Dock & Why do you support WDC? The ocean is Bay, the quick-dry towel experts. in trouble and, of course, its mighty She shares her home with her inhabitants. It’s easy not to husband, two cats, three worry as most of us don’t dogs, six horses, three pigs, come into direct contact four sheep and numerous with the perils they birds, and considers herself face. That is why WDC lucky that she can use her is so important – to position to help the causes bring the issues to she believes in. We are Deborah our attention and to proud to have her support. has six show us what we can horses do to help. Dogs or cats? Horses. Biggest fear? Fear of fear Marmite – yes or no? Yes. stopping me from doing anything. SHUTTERSTOCK, ALAMY Whales or dolphins? Bear Grylls One thing you Whales. would change to improve When are you happiest? things for whales On a summer evening and dolphins? riding across the fields. Stop underwater drills One bad habit? Leaving half- and explosions that cause drunk cups of tea everywhere. havoc with the navigation systems of whales and dolphins Favourite place? Home. and which must be very painful. 34 WHALE&DOLPHIN Winter2020

World Cork map diary bracelet £9.20 £6.30 Bamboo Jellyfish kids set ornaments £9.50 £13.95 Christmas Last-minute gifts to buy? Mugs Don’t worry, there’s still time! £7.90 Cork leather bracelets, bamboo cups, cuddly toys and gorgeous glass jellyfish are just some of our great gift ideas. There’s a large range of gifts online. Shop with us and help whales and dolphins. Cuddly whales.org/shop dolphin £6.25 Bamboo travel mug £9.50 Bamboo lunch box £12.50 THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! Now more than ever, your support means the world to us. Thank you for helping us fight for a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free. Thank you for caring. Get in touch at [email protected] If undelivered, please return to: WDC, Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ