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There are many ways in which you can become involved, including:
Our campaigns are usually most active in the lead up to important decisions being made in parliament or in response to a renewed threat to a habitat, a draft plan that accepts submissions being received or an issue that WDCS is raising public awareness on. Your voice added to that of ours and other supporters can make a big difference. View our news stories on the home page and add your support to the current issue of the day. You can campaign by:
- Signing an online petition
- Writing to the appropriate Government Minister
- Inviting your friends to visit our website and sign the online petition
- Writing letters to the editor of your local or national newspaper
It’s easy to think that your donation doesn’t really matter or that WDCS can keep doing the work we do without funding, but the reality is your donation will make a big difference. From time to time we may receive small grants from government or grant making bodies to fund specific projects, but we do not receive any ongoing government funding to keep our conservation, research and educational work progressing. WDCS funds the work of scientists, including Marine Biologists, teachers and conservation officers as well as our operational expenses. Your donation will enable us to maintain and expand our animal welfare and conservation work as well as maintaining our organisational strength. Please consider making a donation. If you wish, you can donate online right now
Land based whale and dolphin watching is an enjoyable experience. Conditions vary from one place to another, so check with the local tourism information centre for the best times and places to see whales and dolphins. Because land based viewing of dolphins and whales has no impact on the animals whatsoever, WDCS favours this type of experience.
However, a lot of whale and dolphin watching occurs from boats, either your own or with a commercial operator. Most, but unfortunately not all, dolphin and whale tourism operators are responsible. In some locations there are just too many of them. Continual harassment from boats has been shown to make some animals leave their home range and some whales and dolphins have been injured and even killed. WDCS supports and promotes responsible whale watching. Visit our online whale watching guidelines. If you have your own boat, please refer to our information below under “boat owners.”
Your own habits and actions and those of your household can make a difference to the lives of dolphins and other marine animals. From what you send down your drains and gutters at home to how you behave with dolphins nearby are all small but important steps you can take to ensure you are being dolphin friendly. Have a look at our checklist for living dolphin friendly:
- Stormwater
- Boat Owners
- Don’t Feed the dolphins
- Don’t swim with wild dolphins
- Going fishing
Stormwater
Stormwater collects in gutters and drains from most urban streets. This stormwater is then channeled, via a series of underground pipes, straight into the local creek, river or sea, without any treatment. Pollution in this water includes plastic bags, cans, fertilizer run off and animal droppings. Two things you can do, for example, is to make sure your garbage bin isn’t overflowing and open to having its contents blown away and pick up your dog’s faeces and dispose of it in a sealed bag for waste collection. There are many other things we can do or shouldn’t do to be environmentally friendly for our dolphins. For more information visit What you can do about urban stormwater.
Boat Owners
As an owner of a boat you have special responsibility to ensure you maintain and drive your boat sensibly and provide leadership to those on board. The NSW Boating Association has a good fact sheet about Responsibilities for Boat Owners.
If you are fortunate enough to spot whales and dolphins on your cruise, please operate your boat with caution. If they approach your boat or bow-ride, maintain a slow speed and same course until clear. Cetaceans should never be chased or harassed in an attempt to make them bow-ride. When watching dolphins, let them decide what happens. Here are a few simple guidelines:
- Never drive head on, move between or scatter the animals. If unsure of their movements simply stop, put the engine into neutral and enjoy their company.
- Don’t spend any longer than 15 minutes near the animals.
- Take special care around mothers and young.
For legislative requirements download the 2005 Australian National Whale Watching Guidelines.
Don’t Feed the Dolphins
Feeding wild dolphins might seem to be a kind or fun way to be with them, but it can cause changes in the behaviour of these animals which may eventually lead them to being wounded or even killed. Feeding can lead to dolphins following boats and to “begging” behaviour. These actions can lead animals into contact with life-threatening nets or fishing tackle or propellers. Over time they may become less willing to hunt for themselves or may not teach their babies vital hunting skills. Taming wild dolphins moves them from being part of their natural family and social grouping to being dependent on human interaction and unfortunately this commonly leads to accidental or deliberate wounding or death.
Don’t Swim with Dolphins
Dolphin interaction programmes, from touching and feeding, to swimming in the dolphin's environment are increasing in range and popularity. However, whilst there is an understandable love for dolphins, you may wish to consider our policy on swimming with dolphins.
Going Fishing
If you are fishing, WDCS recommends you bring your line up if dolphins come in close to you, enjoy their company while they are there, and re-commence your fishing when they leave. Fishing debris is a serious threat to dolphins, so please make sure all your waste, including burley bags, fishing lines and hooks are all disposed of appropriately back on land. Dolphins in the wild are adept at hunting for themselves, so please do not feed the dolphins. Feeding marine mammals is prohibited in many parts of the world, including South Australia.
Are you a professional or pro-amateur photographer or videographer? Are you willing to donate your photographs or video to WDCS? We rely on good images of whales and dolphins to inspire, educate and move people to action. If you are a business owner and can assist with services or products or perhaps have our brochures on display – we’d love to hear from your. Please contact us if you can help.
The Australian Government has a national Whale and Dolphin Sightings and Strandings Database. This records sightings of whales and dolphins in Australian waters and maintains details of stranding events around the Australian coastline.
As a teacher you can educate and inspire your students to appreciate whales and dolphins in the wild. For further information about our educational resources, school talks and excursion programs visit our teachers page.
As a leader in a community group in South Australia you may be interested in our informative presentations about the individual dolphins in the Port River and how to identify them as well as issues that face whales and dolphins worldwide. A minimum donation applies. Please contact us during office hours for further enquiries.
WDCS is always in need of funds to continue our conservation and animal welfare work. Your can help us raise funds through
- Fundraisers at your place of work, such as casual days.
- Accepting donations for WDCS at your upcoming celebration instead of presents
- Coin collection
And a myriad of other ideas! Contact us for more info.
For more information about WDCS volunteer opportunities see our volunteer page.
Adopt a dolphin is a unique and important fundraiser that gives you a special link with one animal's often perilous, but always fascinating, life. The dolphins live in the Port River estuary in South Australia and have been continuously studied for over 20 years by Dr Mike Bossley, AM. You can adopt a dolphin online
Often known as "killer whales", orca hold a special place in the marine animal world. An orca adoption gives you a special link with these magnificent mammals who live around New Zealand's coast. Dr Ingrid N. Visser has been studying this population of wild orca since 1992. Your adoption will help the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society protect these amazing animals. You can adopt an orca online
Many Australian and New Zealand councils have sister city relationships with cities in Japan. You can write a courteous letter to your Japanese sister city telling them how much you love whales and express your concern for whale hunting. View the list of sister cities
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