Whale Sanctuary Project Is “Most Credible Innovative Solution”
By the Whale Sanctuary Project
French Inspector General Releases Landmark Recommendation to Transfer the Last Two Captive Orcas from France to a Seaside Sanctuary, and Recommends the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia as the Best Location.
Introduction by International Marine Mammal Project, followed by article posted by Michael Mountain of the Whale Sanctuary Project.
Intro:
What will be the fate of the two remaining captive orcas in France? In May, 2024, France passed historic animal protection legislation, which included banning the holding of orca whales in captivity.
Now there is breaking news that the Inspector General appointed by the French government has released its comprehensive report and reached the recommendation that the last two captive orcas held by Marineland Antibes be transferred to a seaside sanctuary being established by the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia, Canada.
IMMP Director David Phillips, who is a member of the Whale Sanctuary Project Board of Directors, called it “a landmark decision that is by far the best possible outcome for these two orcas. The recommendation is also a great tribute to the hard work of the Whale Sanctuary Project.”
Now the decision rests with the French Ministry whether to accept the Inspector General’s recommendation and the Marineland facility abides. Should the recommendation not be accepted, the orcas face a dire future. The two orcas, a mother (Wikie) and her son (Keijo), would be exported to Japan for lives in concrete tanks that are far smaller than where they are now, and would be forced to be part of breeding programs and likely be separated.
The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute will continue to press for these two orcas to be free of concrete tanks and live together in the Nova Scotia seaside sanctuary that is being constructed. Earlier, IMMP drafted, secured signatories, and submitted a compelling letter to the French government. It was signed by 42 international environmental and animal welfare organizations, urging that the two orcas be sent to a seaside sanctuary.
Posted Oct. 3, 2024 by Michael Mountain, the Whale Sanctuary Project
French government inspectorate says Whale Sanctuary Project is best sanctuary solution for captive orcas at Marineland Antibes.
The French government’s General Inspectorate of the Environment & Sustainable Development has just released its formal recommendations regarding whales and dolphins who are in captivity at theme parks and aquariums in France.
There are two orcas – Wikie and Keijo – at Marineland Antibes, and 23 bottlenose dolphins at Marineland and another marine park. The Whale Sanctuary Project has proposed to the French government that Wikie and Keijo be brought to the sanctuary we are establishing in Nova Scotia.
In its 52-page report to the Department of Ecological Biodiversity, the Inspectorate states with respect to the Whale Sanctuary Project:
“The solidity of the team and the dossier [they filed], the fact that the project was initiated several years ago, well before the sole question of the future of the orcas at Marineland in Antibes, the medium and long-term projection, make it the most credible innovative solution among the sanctuary projects.”