How to Adopt a Dusky Dolphin

When enjoying a cruise through the southern hemisphere, you might notice a pod of dolphins playing in the open waters. If you take a closer look, you will notice that the dolphins' bellies are so pale they appear white, their backs are steel gray and their dorsal fin is two-toned. The dolphins seem to have nothing better to do then play in the sun and salt water. The dolphins you are observing are a breed called dusky dolphins.Dusky dolphins are most commonly found near Peru, Chili and Argentina. They can also be seen romping of the coasts of Madagascar and New Zealand. The biggest threat to the dusky dolphin's survival is getting caught in fishing nets. Here's now to protect one by adopting it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Visit the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society's website. (Follow the link in Resources.) The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is a nonprofit group that is dedicated to protecting not only whales and dolphins but their environment, too. One of the species the society protects is the dusky dolphin.

2. Click the "Adopt a dolphin" link. You will be shown a list of dolphins whose lives will be improved by your adoption payment. When you adopt a dolphin, you will receive a plush dolphin toy, an interactive CD, an adoption recognition certificate and a photo of the dolphin. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website has pictures of several dolphins that need caring people to adopt them; pick the one whose picture you like the best and click on it. You will be taken to a page where you can complete the adoption process.

3. Pay the $7.82 adoption fee. You will have to pay this amount each month in order to keep your adoption up to date. The money the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society receives when you adopt a dolphin is used to promote the protection of the dusky dolphin and whales, maintain and improve the dolphins' natural habitat, promote an increase in the number of dolphins and help lower the chances of a whale or dolphin getting tangled in a fishing net.

4. Check into the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society website at least once a month. This way, you will know about any fundraisers and events the group is organizing, including "Save a Whale" week.

Resources

• The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society