Trip 5: The Three Musketeers
Our fifth trip of the season yielded several challenges that remind us how difficult field work can be. From unexpected weather to boat issues, Trip 5 packed a real punch. This is why preparation and safety are so important to any field project since you never know what you may
A Surprise Encounter With Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins
By Trip 8, we had settled into the rhythm of working on the bank and the season was almost at an end. This one particular late August morning, we had spent time with the Atlantic spotted dolphins, collecting behavioral data and observations as we followed the group through the water.
Field Season Blog: Trip 4
Trip 4: The Calm Between the Clicks Every trip out on the water brings something different, and trip 4 was no exception. While we were fortunate to have beautiful weather, bringing about lots of opportunities for encounters, we quickly noticed a pattern in the Atlantic spotted dolphins’ behavior. Being among
Field Season Blog: Trip 3
Trip 3: The Fins in the North This year has continued to bring us unexpected curveballs this field season. Following our second trip, our research vessel Stenella needed a little T.L.C. in the yard before going back out to the Bahamas. After her week at the “boat spa”, she
Meet our Intern: Taylor Snudden
Growing up in New Jersey, Taylor always knew she wanted to work with animals and contribute to conservation efforts. Her passion for wildlife led her to a job at a conservation zoo, where she gained hands-on experience caring for animals and educating visitors about the importance of protecting them. But it
Meet our Intern: Amber Sylvester
As a biology student at Florida Atlantic University entering her fourth year, Amber has always been fascinated by the natural world. Growing up in several different places exposed her to a variety of ecosystems and sparked an early curiosity about how plants, animals, and environments interact. Her time living in
Wild Ocean Science Recap: What we can learn from the whales’ way of life
Our annual Wild Ocean Science evening felt like a reunion of people who share a deep, enduring connection to the ocean. From the moment guests arrived, there was a strong sense of energy in the room—scientists, longtime supporters, ocean advocates, and curious newcomers all gathering with a shared purpose: to
How Dolphins Are Similar to People
When people spend time watching wild dolphins, one thing becomes clear very quickly: these animals are not just swimming mammals — they are thinkers, communicators, and social beings with complex lives. Decades of research by the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP), and other researchers, have helped scientists understand just how much
A Greener Tide: How to Reduce Holiday Waste for the Sake of Our Ocean
The holiday season arrives with all the familiar sparkle—twinkling lights, gatherings with loved ones, and a flurry of gift-giving. But behind the cheer sits a growing concern: the surge of waste that accompanies this time of year. In the United States alone, household waste increases by nearly 25% between Thanksgiving
From Calf to Spotted Adult: The Life Cycle of an Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
From Calf to Spotted Adult: The Life Cycle of an Atlantic Spotted Dolphin By Wild Dolphin Project When it comes to raising a dolphin, moms do a lot of the heavy lifting—literally. Like all marine mammals, Atlantic spotted dolphins give birth to live young after a pregnancy that lasts around