World Dolphin Day Sep. 12, 2025

With lifelong bonds, signature whistles and echolocation, dolphins are more than just smart swimmers. First observed in 2022, World Dolphin Day shines a light on these intelligent marine mammals and the oceans they rely on. The day encourages people to learn about their behaviour and the threats they face. Over 40 dolphin species swim our seas, from the Māui dolphin to the Irrawaddy dolphin. They"re expert navigators, problem-solvers and team players. Some even form superpods—temporary gatherings of hundreds or thousands of dolphins moving together offshore.

© Franco Banfi/Nature Picture Library

palette

Today in History

A different kind of toucan
Sep. 12, 2023North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
Sep. 12, 2024World Dolphin Day
Sep 12, 2026California sea lions, offshore Mexico, Pacific Ocean

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 27, 2025Eastbourne Pier, East Sussex, England
Sep. 2, 2025Camel thorn trees, Namib-Naukluft Park, Namibia
A road not for the faint of heart
Happy Canada Day!
Oct. 2, 2025Oxbow Bend on the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Dragon tails trail to the sea
Sep 3, 2026Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland
Sep. 25, 2025Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
One rare streak
Oct. 20, 2023International Sloth Day
Stepping back in time
Apr. 7, 2024International Beaver Day
Dec. 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
Rising with the sun
Oct. 3, 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Dec. 26, 2024Boxing Day
What are these unique creatures?
Feb. 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Sep. 11, 2023French River, Ontario
Dec. 23, 2025Reindeer, Lapland, Finland
Apr. 10, 2025Siblings Day
Mar. 8, 2025International Womens Day
Aug. 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington, United States
Jun. 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
Farewell, Ma’am
Hide-and-go-seek world champion
Oct. 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States
Mar. 16, 2024Giant panda, Chengdu, China
The most active volcano in the world