Whales and dolphins are icons for the conservation movement. They are the most conspicuous ambassadors for entire marine ecosystems and possibly even for the biosphere as a whole. Concurrent with our realisation of impending threats to their environment is a growing scientific understanding of the social and cognitive complexity of many of these species.

This book brings together experts in the relevant diverse fields of cetacean research, to provide authoritative descriptions of our current knowledge of the complex behaviour and social organization of whales and dolphins. The authors consider this new information in the context of how different human cultures from around the world view cetaceans and their protection, including attitudes to whaling. They show how new information on issues such as cetacean intelligence, culture and the ability to suffer, warrants a significant shift in global perceptions of this group of animals and how these changes might be facilitated to improve conservation and welfare approaches.

About the Author

Philippa Brakes is a marine biologist, specialising in marine mammal welfare and the ethical issues associated with our interactions with cetaceans and their environments. She has served as an expert on cetacean welfare issues and whaling policy with the New Zealand Government delegation to the International Whaling Commission, as well as serving as an informal adviser to other Government and non-Government delegations; as a lecturer in Zoological Conservation Management; as Marine Advisor to the RSCPA; and as the Curator of a British Zoological Gardens.

Mark Peter Simmonds is an environmental scientist specialising in the problems facing marine mammals in the 21st century. He is currently the International Director of Science at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Reviews

"Whales and Dolphins: Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions is a very important book. It makes a compelling case for scientists, conservationists and animal welfare groups to combine to develop a new approach to the conservation of cetaceans." - Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute (www.janegoodall.org), UN Messenger of Peace

"I will be making several chapters required reading for my upper level undergraduate course in Cetacean Behavior and Behavioral Ecology." - Burnd Wursig, Texas A&M University, in Marine Mammal Science (April 2013)

"This book makes persuasive arguments for the uniqueness of whales and dolphins, and for their conservation. It will make compelling reading for anyone with an interest in these creatures." - Bulletin of the British Ecological Society

Book Information
ISBN 9781849712255
Author Philippa Brakes
Format Paperback
Page Count 256
Imprint Earthscan Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 400g