Sanctuaries for Retirement: Hope For Captive Orcas, Belugas and Dolphins
By Rosemary Ellis
A tide is changing, and people are waking up to the cruelty associated with holding whales and dolphins in concrete tanks. Many are demanding cetaceans be retired from performing and sent to seaside sanctuaries.
Most whales and dolphins that have been held in captivity, particularly those who were born into captivity, are unlikely to be successfully reintroduced into the wild. Fortunately, there are efforts in place to create seaside sanctuaries for marine mammals around the world. These will allow whales and dolphins to swim in ocean water, explore changing habitats and face new stimulating experiences, all while having caretakers look after them when needed.
Once completed and opened, the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia and Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary in Greece will be innovative and will provide much-needed seaside habitats that will greatly improve the lives of many captive marine mammals.
The Whale Sanctuary Project Prepares for Construction in Canada
The Whale Sanctuary Project, made up of scientists and advocates, began work in 2016 to create the first sanctuary in North America for orcas and belugas. While sanctuaries exist for other species, such as elephants, farmed animals and big cats, there are very few for marine mammals. The Whale Sanctuary Project has set out to change that.
Among the founding members is David Phillips, Director of the International Marine Mammal Project of Earth Island Institute. Dave is serving on the Board of Directors for the project.
The sanctuary will be in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, Canada, and will provide a natural environment for captive orcas, beluga whales, and other cold-water dolphins to be retired to. They will have the opportunity to explore, play, rest and socialize in ocean water without being forced to perform. The sanctuary will provide an enclosed part of the ocean far bigger than the biggest aquarium tank in the world.
A $5 million commitment from The Wendy P. McCaw Foundation will soon bring the sanctuary to life. The funds will support the construction of the sanctuary building, perimeter net and infrastructure. The Whale Sanctuary Project is wrapping up two years' worth of environmental studies of the area, including the waters, land and seabed. Once complete, they can move ahead with permits to begin construction.
They aim to have the necessary infrastructure and facilities complete by the end of this year and hope to welcome the first whale to the sanctuary as soon as 2024.
Read more from The Whale Sanctuary Project’s winter newsletter.
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary will be a Model Sanctuary for Dolphins
The Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary is being created on the island of Lipsi, south of Samos in the Eastern Aegean in Greece. Once completed, it will be the first permanent sanctuary for warm-water dolphins in the world. The sanctuary will deliver veterinary and rehabilitation care for sick and injured marine animals, including dolphins, seals and turtles. All while, it will also be a safe home for retired captive dolphins.
The Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary will be an innovative and replicable model sanctuary for others around the world. For instance, the sanctuary’s newly renovated rehabilitation and research center’s needs will be supplied through renewable sources by using solar power and rainwater collection. Additionally, they aim to boost the existing biodiversity in the sanctuary bay through the installation of artificial reefs and a seagrass garden, in order to both maintain high water quality and create natural enrichment for the dolphins.
SEALIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary Has its First Residents
One sanctuary, off the south coast of Iceland, already has its first residents. Two beluga whales were welcomed to the SEALIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary in 2019. Little Grey and Little White traveled 6,000 miles from a water park in Shanghai, China. The sanctuary is made up of an enclosed large bay area, a care facility, and a visitor center and can hold 10 beluga whales. The sanctuary looks forward to welcoming other belugas to join Little White and Little Grey.
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The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute strongly supports the efforts of the Whale Sanctuary Project, The Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary and SEALIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary. Captive marine mammals deserve to live the rest of their lives in an ocean sanctuary. Your donation to IMMP helps hasten the end of cetacean captivity. Please contribute, so we can continue to pressure aquariums and entertainment facilities to retire their captive dolphins and whales and educate lawmakers to mandate an end to captivity. Thank you for your support!
