France’s Effort to Move Two Orcas to Nova Scotia Sanctuary Offers Hope for Marineland Belugas

Animal Justice applauds the Government of France for stepping up to protect two captive orcas, Wikie and Keijo, by working to facilitate their potential transfer to the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia. 

The mother and son orcas are currently housed at Marineland Antibes. While this park is not connected to Canada’s Marineland, both facilities share the fact that they are no longer operational, and they house cetaceans in desperate need of a home. 

“We hope Canadian leaders can look to the French government’s example. By bringing together the operators of the aquarium where these two orcas are held with the Whale Sanctuary Project to chart a way forward. France is providing a blueprint for the proactive role the governments of Canada and Ontario can and should play in the face of Marineland’s continued disregard for the belugas and dolphins it has exploited for so many years,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice.

“We are hopeful that if the relocation of Wikie and Keijo to the WSP proceeds, it would lead to increased support and resources for the Whale Sanctuary Project and expedite its opening, thereby benefiting the whales still stranded at Marineland in Niagara Falls,” said Ms. Mitchell.  

“The monumental effort to secure safe, long-term homes for Canada’s last captive whales is taking place against the backdrop of Marineland’s decades of neglect, which left them in this precarious situation. Ontario has the authority to immediately provide the care these animals desperately need, and to ensure the animals’ interests are taken into account in plans for their future. Leaving the whales to suffer at Marineland while the federal and provincial governments point fingers at one another would be a national embarrassment, and would mean a death sentence for these intelligent, social animals.”

The WSP received needed provincial approvals from the Government of Nova Scotia on October 28.  Once built, the 100 acre (40 hectare) seaside sanctuary could offer a permanent peaceful home for some of the belugas currently languishing in cramped, barren tanks at Marineland.

Contact:

Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]

Katilyn Mitchell
Director of Legal Advocacy
[email protected]