Operation GRACE: Global Rescue of At-Risk Cetaceans and Ecosystems
Around the world, aquatic mammal populations are facing growing pressure from habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and human activity. Protecting these species is essential, not only for their survival but for the health of aquatic ecosystems and the well-being of communities that depend on them.
Operation GRACE is NMMF’s global effort to prevent extinction and promote recovery for vulnerable dolphins, whales, and porpoises. We bring together veterinarians, scientists, species experts, and local community partners to deliver specialized care, close knowledge gaps, and strengthen conservation efforts where they are needed most. By sharing tools, training, and medical expertise across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and beyond, Operation GRACE empowers communities to protect their own native species and build long-term recovery from within.
Provided by the IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group. Conservationists, policymakers, and the public are encouraged to download and share to raise awareness and drive action.
The Growing Crisis and a Call to Action
Many of the world’s small cetaceans are experiencing increasing pressure from human activity. Updated global assessments now show how widespread the risk has become:
- 1 in 4 species (26%) of cetacean species are threatened with extinction (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered)
- 11% are Near Threatened, and 10% are Data Deficient – meaning the real number at risk is likely higher
- Freshwater species are the most imperiled (100% at risk)
- Coastal species face the next highest pressure (60%)
- Since 2008, 20% of species have worsened in conservation status, while only three improved.
- The proportion of threatened species has nearly doubled – from 15% in 1991 to 26% in 2021
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Cetacean Specialist Group warns that many dolphins, whales, and porpoises are running out of time. The extinction of China’s Yangtze River dolphin and the sharp decline of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise show how quickly a species can reach the brink — and how critical early action can be.
We have reason for hope. Recovery is possible when science, community leadership, and hands-on care align. From neonatal dolphin support in South America to emergency response training in the Amazon, Operation GRACE demonstrates that when the right expertise reaches the right place at the right time, vulnerable populations can stabilize and begin to rebound.
Species We Protect
Operation GRACE focuses on species facing the greatest risks. Working with local experts, our teams tackle urgent threats, study health and behavior, and help build long-term conservation solutions.
South America
North America
Africa and Asia
Arctic and Subartic
How Operation GRACE is Making a Difference
Operation GRACE brings together science, medicine, and community leadership to protect threatened dolphins, whales, and porpoises. Each effort blends hands-on expertise with innovation and collaboration to deliver real, lasting impact.
Global Collaboration
We partner with international scientists, conservation teams, and Indigenous and local leaders to co-design solutions that combine global expertise with regional knowledge, creating sustainable, community-driven recovery.
Veterinary and Conservation Medicine
Our veterinarians collaborate with regional partners to assess health, respond to strandings, and monitor populations, turning medical insight into stronger protection for at-risk species.
Training and Capacity Building
Through workshops and mentorship, we help local veterinarians and researchers build the skills, tools, and confidence needed to lead conservation efforts in their own regions.
Data-Driven Insights
Field teams collect vital health and environmental data that help identify emerging threats early to prevent populations from reaching crisis levels.
Innovations in the Field
From AI-enabled drones to advanced diagnostic tools, we’re developing and helping refine new technologies that make monitoring and protecting endangered species more proactive, efficient, and effective.
Inspiring Action
Through education, outreach, and storytelling, we share discoveries that inspire the public to care, act, and join us in protecting endangered species.
The Power of Community Collaboration and Local Leadership
Protecting endangered aquatic mammals requires global teamwork and local leadership. Around the world, Operation GRACE supports community-led conservation because lasting change happens when local experts lead. Across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and beyond, we:
- Build local expertise through hands-on training and mentorship in rescue, health assessment, and response.
- Share tools and data that help partners monitor species and design solutions rooted in regional knowledge.
- Foster collaboration among scientists, veterinarians, and community leaders to ensure conservation success is led and sustained locally.
One Health Framework
Operation GRACE uses a One Health approach, recognizing that the wellbeing of aquatic mammals is intertwined with the health of ecosystems and the people who share their waters. We work with partners to assess not only the animal but also the environmental and human factors influencing its health, such as pollution, disease exposure, food security, and climate-driven change.
This approach helps us identify emerging threats earlier, improve preparedness, and design solutions that benefit both wildlife and the communities that depend on them.
Stories that Inspire: Operation GRACE Scientific Snapshot Series
In partnership with Dolphin Quest, Operation GRACE presents our Scientific Snapshot Series, a virtual storytelling experience highlighting urgent efforts to protect at-risk cetaceans. From the vaquita to river dolphins, these sessions showcase both the science and the people behind it, sharing the passion, challenges, and dedication that make real conservation possible.
Related Stories
Collaboration, expertise, and dedication have helped us save countless aquatic mammals. Explore some of their stories:
