--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Whale and Dolphin Tracker" developer_entity: "Pacific Whale Foundation" bundle_id: "org.pacificwhale.Tracker" app_store_id: "1336754335" google_play_id: "org.pacificwhale.tracker" category: "Education" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2025-11-22" report_date: "2026-09-26" last_verified: "2026-09-26T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "1.35" total_reviews: 52 overall_rating: 2.8 sentiment: "Upset" sentiment_score: 15 confidence: "medium" confidence_score: 0.55 top_praise_theme: "Basic cetacean identification features provide value for users on entry-level mobile hardware" top_complaint_theme: "Account registration and login failures prevent users from accessing core sighting features" review_sample_size: 13 total_review_count: 13 analyzed_review_count: 13 data_age_days: 49 momentum_velocity: "zombie" intelligence_version: 2 tags: ["education", "free", "upset sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "marine", "wildlife", "enthusiasts,"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/whale-and-dolphin-tracker" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Whale and Dolphin Tracker Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Education · Free - **Signal**: Rating 2.77 · Sentiment Upset - **Recent focus**: Account registration and login failures prevent users from accessing core sighting features (top complaint) · Basic cetacean identification features provide value for users on entry-level mobile hardware (top praise) > **TL;DR:** Whale and Dolphin Tracker is a education app by Pacific Whale Foundation, rated 2.77/5 by 52 users, with Upset user sentiment (15/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Whale and Dolphin Tracker faces Upset user sentiment (2.77/5 from 52 reviews), with users reporting account registration and login failures prevent users from accessing core sighting features as the primary concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 2.77/5 (52 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Upset | | **Category** | Education | | **Developer** | Pacific Whale Foundation | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | Medium (0.55/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 49d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Pacific Whale Foundation - **Category:** Education - **Target Audience:** Marine wildlife enthusiasts, citizen scientists, and professional researchers. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Reviewed:** 1.36 - **Report Date:** 2026-09-26 - **Signal Count:** 13 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Medium (0.55/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 1336754335 - **Bundle ID:** org.pacificwhale.Tracker - **Google Play ID:** org.pacificwhale.tracker - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-09-26 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Whale and Dolphin Tracker is a citizen science app for logging marine wildlife sightings on iOS and Android. **Why users hire it:** The app removes the logistical cost of manual data entry for researchers by crowdsourcing observations from the public. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Real-time GPS Logger:** Records precise movement tracks during marine wildlife observation trips, providing high-effort data for researchers. * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features. - **[Differentiator] Photo-Identification Upload:** Allows users to attach images to sightings for species verification, building a proprietary database for the foundation. * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features. ## Market Position {#market-position} Whale and Dolphin Tracker maintains a 2.5-star average across 52 total ratings, reflecting significant user frustration with core functionality. The lack of updates for 307 days signals a maintenance-only posture that leaves the platform vulnerable to more active conservation tools. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Free access to all features - **Analysis:** The app operates as a free tool to support the nonprofit's mission, with no IAP or subscription gates observed. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (Medium Confidence: 13 of 13 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 2.77/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 2.5/5 (24 ratings) | Android 3.0/5 (28 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Upset ### Top Praises - **Basic cetacean identification features provide value for users on entry-level mobile hardware** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Account registration and login failures prevent users from accessing core sighting features** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Proprietary photo-identification database builds long-term research authority **Growth Levers:** - Relaxing mandatory vessel fields could expand the user base to shore-based citizen scientists ## What's New - **Latest (v1.35, 10 months ago):** Updated location logic for map and sightings collection. ## App Momentum (Zombie) {#momentum} - Quiet 10 months, bug fixes only. - Last major release 307 days ago. > **Cadence:** 2 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 307 days since last update · 1 days avg between updates ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Whale and Dolphin Tracker is an education app that is completely free. With a 2.77/5 rating from 52 reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** Stabilizing the authentication flow would address the primary churn driver preventing any meaningful data collection. Prioritizing this fix is essential to restore the platform's utility as a research tool, as the current login failures render the entire sighting database inaccessible to new contributors. **Best for:** Marine wildlife enthusiasts, citizen scientists, and professional researchers. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] Rebuild authentication flow because login failures are the top-cited barrier to entry → increase user retention ### Outlook: Declining The outlook for Whale and Dolphin Tracker is declining due to a lack of development activity and persistent technical barriers. Without a return to active maintenance, the platform will likely lose its remaining active users to more accessible, general-purpose wildlife tracking tools. - 🔴 The 10-month update silence prevents the app from addressing critical login failures, which directly erodes the user base and data collection velocity. - 🔴 Rigid data entry requirements for boat-specific information alienate shore-based observers, limiting the app's utility to a shrinking, niche demographic of boat owners. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 2.77/5 | | Total Reviews | 52 | | Sentiment | Upset (15/100) | | Confidence | Medium | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 2 analyzed | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Whale and Dolphin Tracker** (this app) | 2.77/5 | Upset | Pacific Whale Foundation | | [ALPA: Lernspiele für Kinder](https://marlvel.ai/apps/alpa-lernspiele-fur-kinder) | N/A/5 | N/A | ALPA Kids OU | | [ATPdigital (Legacy)](https://marlvel.ai/apps/atpdigital-legacy) | 2.0/5 | n/a | Bristol Groundschool International Ltd | | [Catbus Student](https://marlvel.ai/apps/catbus-student) | 4.3/5 | N/A | Cohota Join Stock Company | | [Chinese Tibetan Dictionary](https://marlvel.ai/apps/chinese-tibetan-dictionary) | 5.0/5 | Thrilled | Lobsang Monlam16922404891 | | [Legasthenie & LRS Trainer](https://marlvel.ai/apps/legasthenie-lrs-trainer) | N/A/5 | N/A | Matthias Aigner | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Pacific Whale Foundation - **Website:** [https://www.pacificwhale.org](https://www.pacificwhale.org) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pacificwhalefoundation) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PacificWhaleFoundation) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/PacificWhale) · [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/PacificWhaleFND) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store ID:** 1336754335 - **Google Play ID:** org.pacificwhale.tracker - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.pacificwhale.org) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*ALPA: Lernspiele für Kinder*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/alpa-lernspiele-fur-kinder) (ALPA Kids OU) · N/A Rating - [*ATPdigital (Legacy)*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/atpdigital-legacy) (Bristol Groundschool International Ltd) · 2.0/5 Rating - [*Catbus Student*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/catbus-student) (Cohota Join Stock Company) · 4.3/5 Rating - [*Chinese Tibetan Dictionary*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/chinese-tibetan-dictionary) (Lobsang Monlam16922404891) · 5.0/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment - [*Legasthenie & LRS Trainer*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/legasthenie-lrs-trainer) (Matthias Aigner) · N/A Rating - [*Lyceum Leaf Parent*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/lyceum-leaf-parent) (Techcess Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd) · N/A Rating - [*Money Matrix (CAD)*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/money-matrix-cad) (Blooming Kids Software LLC) · 5.0/5 Rating - [*myTibetan*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/mytibetan) (Yury Nevalenny) · 4.8/5 Rating | Excellent Sentiment - [*Quran Treasure Island for Kids*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/quran-treasure-island-for-kids) (Akeela Manekia) · 4.9/5 Rating - [*Sudoku - Number Puzzle Pro*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/sudoku-number-puzzle-pro) (阳理 江) · N/A Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is Whale and Dolphin Tracker free to use? Yes, the app is free to use and provides access to all features, as it is maintained by the Pacific Whale Foundation to support marine conservation research. ### Can I use the app to log sightings from the beach? Currently, the app requires vessel-specific information for sightings, which makes it difficult for shore-based observers to log data. Users have reported this as a significant limitation. ### What should I do if I cannot log in to my account? Users frequently report errors during the registration and login process. Since the app has not received significant updates in 10 months, these technical issues remain unresolved for many users. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.55/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 13 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 49 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/whale-and-dolphin-tracker) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.