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In 1974 Dr
Horace Dobbs BSc. PhD., after a successful career in conventional
scientific research, met a friendly wild dolphin that changed his life!
He was aware that
the dolphin that had befriended him had a brain as large and complex
as that of a human and became intrigued by the effect dolphins had on
the people with whom they came into contact.
In 1978 Horace founded International
Dolphin Watch (IDW), a non-profit organisation for
the observation, conservation, study and protection of wild dolphins.
He won numerous international
awards for his visionary books and films, in particular his series of
fictional Dilo Books that were both entertaining and carry a conservation
theme.
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- What
We Did - |
| Research The dolphin
survey project was established at Cambridge University with Professor
Sir Richard Harrison to monitor dolphin populations worldwide. We
contribute data input from a wide variety of dolphin watchers around
the world. We co-operate with organisations monitoring cetacean
populations in the North Sea and introduce people to observational
procedures. All our research was non-intrusive none is conducted
with captive dolphins. |
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| Conservation We actively lobbied
governments worldwide – pressing for laws to be upheld where
they are infringed and urging for changes in legislation that will
help to save dolphins and protect the marine environment. |
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| Education We were actively involved
in education and produce an education pack. IDEAL (Integrated Dolphin
Education and Learning) is based on a fictional dolphin named Dilo
who fires the imagination and makes learning joyful for teachers,
parents and children, including those with special educational needs. |
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| Dolphin Watching Guidelines We produced
guidelines on how to behave in the presence of dolphins for boat
users and those who want to watch or swim with dolphins. We
do not approve of keeping dolphins in captivity. See Dolphin
Code of Conduct (pdf file) |
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| Strandings We had links with organisations
involved in the rescue and treatment of stranded and injured marine
mammals. |
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| Native Wisdom We forged links with
indigenous peoples, such as the Australian Aborigines, to find ways
of applying their ancient wisdom and understanding of the natural
world to help solve present ecological problems. |
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| Dolphin Healing We researched dolphin
healing and investigating ways in which the benefits of swimming
with wild dolphins can be recreated artificially. |
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| Co-operation We had
a policy of co-operating, not competing with other conservation
organisations that strive to help dolphins. |
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