Mission Statement
The Wild Dolphin Project is a non-profit scientific research organization that studies and reports on a specific pod of free ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). Since 1985, Denise Herzing has been studying dolphin communication in the wild. Objectives of this long-term, non-invasive field research on wild dolphins are to gather information on the natural history of these dolphins, including dolphin behaviors, social structure, dolphin communication, and habitat; and to report what we have learned to the scientific community and the general public.

Spanning over three decades The Wild Dolphin Project is the longest running underwater dolphin research project in the world. With our underwater focus on observing and recording behavior and sound, we are determined to "Crack the Code" of dolphin communication.
Learn More
Whether you are looking to participate onboard R/V Stenella or just stay updated on the project, our research, and upcoming events, a WDP membership will benefit you.
Become a Member
There are several ways to participate with The Wild Dolphin Project and help our work: Bahama Field Research, Florida Field Research, or Student Internships.
Learn moreMedia Coverage
In the Field
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18 Sep
2023 Trip 7
Read moreTrip 7: the final trip of the 2023 season! We were thrilled to be back out in the Bahamas for the last trip of the
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31 Aug
Research from the Sky: Drones and Dolphins
Read moreWe’ve got new research out, in the journal Southeastern Naturalist. Our team analyzed drone video footage to help document the first-known case, to our knowledge,
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27 Jul
Updates on Lamda
Read moreIn September 2018 a male Atlantic spotted dolphin named Lamda, who we’ve known since 2013 as a young juvenile, stranded far from his home in
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01 Jul
Animal Behavior: interspecies versus intraspecific interactions
Read moreIn the Bahamas, the Wild Dolphin Project led by Dr. Denise Herzing, studies both the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the Atlantic spotted
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23 Jun
2023 Trips 1 & 2 blog
Read moreThe 2023 season is underway! With two trips complete, we’re off to the Bahamas again soon. But here’s an update on the beginning of