Children from around the world, who have shown their commitment for dolphins as part of the Year of the Dolphin 2007, supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), have been awarded special prizes for their efforts.  

The children were just a few of the many individuals who have helped raise awareness of these threatened mammals as part of Year of the Dolphin. Set up by the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species, the Year of the Dolphin has recently been extended into 2008.

Rewarded for their extra effort to help dolphins, the prize winners all completed the ‘Dolphin Diploma’, an education initiative created for the Year of the Dolphin by WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.  As part of the diploma, children learn about dolphins, complete a quiz, as well as demonstrate their passion by doing something active to help dolphins.

Special prize winners included, Harry in Australia, who gave up his Tooth-Fairy money to help raise enough to Adopt a Dolphin with WDCS, Hannah in the UK, who did a local beach clean-up and collected almost 2000 pieces of litter and Yvonne in Germany who did a beautiful drawing. Prizes included fluffy dolphins and dolphin-watching excursions for these extra-special participants.

From hand-made dolphin buttons, to cake sales and science fairs to animated movies, children around the world have come up with a huge number of ways to make a difference to these beautiful animals. To recognize their efforts, partners of the Year of the Dolphin wanted to reward those children who showed particular commitment and passion, and to encourage tomorrow’s conservationists.

Kath Warhurst of WDCS said, ‘The determination of these children is a compelling reason for us all to work even harder to protect dolphins and their environment. They are telling us they want to share their future with these animals, and we should listen harder.’