WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate the continuing threats to whales and dolphins and their habitat. Cetaceans face many threats including chemical pollution, boat strikes, entanglement in nets and habitat loss.

Dolphins and Whales are iconic animals of the sea and by saving their habitats we also save the habitat of other marine animals.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) are incredible animals. There are over 80 species distributed in every sea and ocean, as well as some of the major river networks of the world. They range from the enormous blue whale, which at around 30m in length, is the largest animal ever to have lived, down to the Hector's dolphin and the vaquita (both under 1.5m long). Often friendly, playful and inquisitive, these intelligent and social creatures captivate us with their beauty, grace and dignity.

By studying populations of dolphins and orca, we begin to understand what they eat, how they catch it, how many animals live together and if this changes over time, what skills they pass on from one generation to the next, how long they live and how many calves they have.

It is the intent of WDCS to maintain field research and conservation projects all over the world, including seas and coastal environments around Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, Pacific Islands and Europe.

WDCS monitors the conservation status of whale and dolphin species, secures habitat protection and supports field research and conservation projects. WDCS does this by working with the United Nations, island communities, national governments and local conservation organisations.

WDCS supports the research and conservation work of Marine Biologist Dr Mike Bossley, AM. The dolphins studied by Dr Bossley live in the Port River estuary in South Australia and have been continuously studied for over 20 years. This makes them one of the three longest studied pod of dolphins anywhere in the world.

Often known as "killer whales", orca hold a special place in the marine animal world. WDCS supports the research and conservation work of the orca who live around New Zealand's coast. Dr Ingrid N. Visser has been studying this population of wild orca since 1992.

WDCS is participating in the United Nations Conservation of Migratory Species program. Our capacity building work in the Pacific Islands is providing much needed expertise and training. This work is instrumental in alleviating some of the many threats that face whales and dolphins in the region such as loss of their home, food and habitat due to overexploitation of living resources, noise pollution from military, industrial and other human activities and capture and death in fishing nets.

Protection of whales and dolphins is sought and negotiated by WDCS campaigners at relevant national and international forums such as the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS).