Status of Some Endangered Whales and Dolphins

Posted by Dawn M. Smith May 12, 2009

While the threats are many and varied, there is work being done to save the world’s whales and dolphins.

Some Endangered or Vulnerable Whale Species

The sperm whale, threatened by hunting and ocean noise

The Alaskan population of beluga whales, threatened by pollution and habitat loss

The endangered blue whales, victims of ship strikes

The humpback whale, which may be recovering from near extinction

The gray whale facing reduced food supply on migration

The Orca or killer whale suffering from high levels of flame retardants

The right whale species, often victims of fishing gear entanglement

Endangered or Vulnerable Dolphin Species

Many of the dolphin species that inhabit inland or coastal waters are struggling to survive. Some dolphins or porpoise may be endangered but too little is known about them.

The vaquita which is considered most likely to follow the Baiji into extinction

The Yangtze finless porpoise whose only hope may be captive breeding

The Ganges River dolphin facing habitat loss and fishing gear entanglement

The Irrawaddy River dolphin, which may be saved because it cooperates with local fishermen

Working to Save Endangered Whales and Dolphins

But there are things being done to try to turn this situation around

In Canada a highly trained team disentangles humpback and right whales.

In the North Atlantic bioacoustic tracking of whale communication is helping with understanding of where right and blue whales travel so shipping lanes can be changed and feeding grounds can be protected.

Around the world more is being learned about whale and dolphin mass strandings in hopes of learning how to prevent these tragic occurrences

In South America and in Asia, surveys have begun to yield information. One piece of good news is the discovery of a healthy population of Irrawaddy River dolphins in Bangladesh.

And in the Pacific an ongoing study is following whales and dolphins to learn more about how they use their ocean home.

Let’s hope these efforts pay off.