ZEIT Online: How to Save a Whale
- Species conservation
Every year, whales die in collisions with container ships. How two researchers in California are seeking to prevent such accidents using real-time data and an app.
Published in ZEIT Online: December 30, 2022
The ocean is renowned for its vastness and calmness. Yet sometimes, everything seems to happen all at once. Thousands of dolphins suddenly appear around the ship, racing past the hull before disappearing again into the depths. "I want one as a pet!" yells a boy on deck. In the background, a container ship slides sluggishly through the channel off the coast of the California city of Santa Barbara.
And then, right next to the boat, a humpback whale launches itself out of the water, seems to hang in the air briefly before then plunging into the water on its back with a huge splash. The animal is as long as a city bus and technically has no natural enemies. Indeed, the only threat to its life is presented by the freighter, which could collide with it. The seemingly endless ocean, after all, has become crowded.
Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2013\/cropped-images\/hs-bogey-by-ingrid-overgard-c-the-marine-mammal-center-371-0-2712-2118-1607385758.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Bogey","title":"Top Holiday Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/top-eco-friendly-holiday-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2026-11-02 01:00:00"}
{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Volunteers\/cslpangorescuephoto-c-niko-panagopoulos-35.jpg","alt":"California sea lion rescue","title":"The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-marine-mammal-center-responds-to-largest-domoic-acid-outbreak-in-its-history","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-28 02:00:00"}
The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History
October 28, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/humpback-whale-spout-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center.jpg","alt":"Humpback whale spout","title":"A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California\u2019s Dungeness Crab Fishery","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/collaboration-to-protect-whales-and-support-californias-dungeness-crab-fishery","label":"Press Release","date":"2026-10-22 02:00:00"}
A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California’s Dungeness Crab Fishery
October 22, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Response\/cropped-images\/c-common-dolphin93026cuesta-inlet-in-morro-bayphoto-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-mmhsrp-24359-0-399-1270-992-1790883642.jpg","alt":"Stranded dolphin response","title":"Three Common Dolphins Freed from Mudflats in Morro Bay","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/three-common-dolphins-freed-from-mudflats-in-morro-bay","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-02 02:00:00"}
