The Whale Sanctuary Blog Archives
2019

What Does SeaWorld’s New “Orca Encounter” Teach Us?

On January 1st, 2020, SeaWorld Orlando replaces its “One Ocean” orca show with a new “Orca Encounter” that’s billed as ...

Posted December 31, 2019 in News, Opinion

“Whales Without Walls” – a short film

This short film about why whales should be retired to sanctuaries has won multiple awards at film festivals.

Posted December 6, 2019 in News

Whale Aid Russia

This is the story of the biggest whale rescue in history – of the Whale Sanctuary Project’s work with the ...

Posted November 17, 2019 in News

The Whale Jail Is No More!

The last group of beluga whales from the “whale jail” in Russia have been returned to the ocean. The notorious ...

Posted November 16, 2019 in News

Site Search Report

This is a series of posts about our work in selecting a location for the first seaside sanctuary in North ...

Posted October 27, 2019 in News

Site Search in Nova Scotia

Third in a series of posts about our search for the best location for a seaside sanctuary for captive whales. ...

Posted October 26, 2019 in News

Site Search in Washington State

Second in a series of posts about our search for the best location for a seaside sanctuary for captive whales. ...

Posted October 26, 2019 in News

Site Search in British Columbia

First in a series of posts about our search for the best location for a seaside sanctuary for captive whales. ...

Posted October 26, 2019 in News

Statement on Russia’s Efforts to Release All Whales from “Whale Jail”

The Whale Sanctuary Project has issued the following statement regarding the continuing efforts to return to the ocean all the ...

Posted October 25, 2019 in For the Media, News

Long Gone Wild

The documentary film Long Gone Wild focuses on the plight of orcas in captivity at marine entertainment parks and on ...

Posted October 24, 2019 in News

All 10 Orcas from the Whale Jail Have Now Been Returned to the Ocean

This week marked the completion of the return of the 10 orcas from the “whale jail” in Russia to the ...

Posted August 30, 2019 in News

Orca Brains and Intelligence

Dr. Lori Marino explores how a land animal with hooves, who was related to what are today cows and deer ...

Posted August 26, 2019 in News

Munchkin’s Orca Miracle® 360 Cup

Our lead sponsor, Munchkin, Inc., has just introduced a new Wild Love line of its #1 selling Miracle® 360° cup, ...

Posted August 26, 2019 in News

Munchkin’s “Wild Love” Miracle 360® Cups Promote Animal Conservation

Diana Barnes of Munchkin, Inc., writes about the company’s new line of Wild Love Miracle® 360° cups, featuring orcas and ...

Posted August 26, 2019 in News

Kids Envisioning a Better Future for Whales

The mysterious-looking large brown envelope that arrived from Captain John Palliser School in Calgary, Alberta, gave no indication of what ...

Posted August 21, 2019 in News

Third Group of Orcas Released from Whale Jail

Russian authorities have begun the transport and release of a third group of orcas from the “whale jail.” In response ...

Posted August 2, 2019 in For the Media, News

Salish Sea Orca Sanctuary Project Kicks Off Public Meetings

Starting July 16, the Whale Sanctuary Project will kick off a series of public meetings across the Salish Sea region ...

Posted July 15, 2019 in For the Media, News

Invitation to Meetings in Washington State

The Whale Sanctuary Project is holding a series of town meetings in Washington State to discuss the concept for a ...

Posted June 30, 2019 in For the Media, News

Release of First Orcas and Belugas from “Whale Jail” Raises Growing Concerns

Serious questions are being raised about the care of the orcas and beluga whales who are being returned to the ...

Posted June 27, 2019 in For the Media, News

Jean-Michel Cousteau and Whale Sanctuary Project Team on Returning Whales to Ocean

Russia has begun the process of returning the whales that were illegally captured last year back to the area where ...

Posted June 26, 2019 in For the Media, News

Effects of Chronic Stress on Captive Orcas

A new paper demonstrates that the poor well-being and high mortality rates of orcas (killer whales) in captive facilities can ...

Posted June 25, 2019 in For the Media, News

Russia Begins Transport of Whales for Return to the Ocean

Russia has begun the process of returning to ocean waters the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who were captured ...

Posted June 20, 2019 in For the Media, News

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Letter to President Putin

Letter from Jean-Michel Cousteau to President Putin regarding the 97 orcas and beluga whales who were captured in order to ...

Posted June 17, 2019 in For the Media, News

Canada Bans Captivity of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

The House of Commons voted overwhelmingly in favor of Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act. ...

Posted June 10, 2019 in For the Media, News

Russian Ministry Presses for Summer Release of Captive Whales

Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources & the Environment says plans are now moving ahead to return the captive orcas and ...

Posted June 7, 2019 in For the Media, News

Whale Aid Russia Begins Stage Two

We have completed the first stage of our work on behalf of the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales who ...

Posted May 17, 2019 in News

Plan to Immediately Release Orcas in Srednyaya Bay Should Not Be Adopted

The Jean-Michel Cousteau / Whale Sanctuary Project team does not support the new plan, announced by Russian authorities on May ...

Posted May 16, 2019 in For the Media, News

Recommendations for Release of Orcas and Belugas from Srednyaya Bay

The Russian government is currently assessing recommendations for rehab and release of the 97 orcas and beluga whales who were ...

Posted May 14, 2019 in For the Media, News

The Global Deal for Nature

The Global Deal for Nature is the first undertaking that’s backed by the most up-to-date science to establish science-based conservation ...

Posted April 27, 2019 in News

Russian Consilium Mirrors Assessment of Whale Sanctuary Team

Announcement from Russian institute VNIRO mirrors assessment of Whale Sanctuary Project team that all orcas and belugas in captivity at ...

Posted April 25, 2019 in News

Report on Orcas and Belugas Held in Srednyaya Bay

Executive summary of the report to the Russian Government regarding the 10 orcas and 87 belugas being held in sea ...

Posted April 24, 2019 in For the Media, News

From the Sea of Okhotsk

In the summer of 2004, two young beluga whales, Skyla and Orion, were captured, packed into crates and loaded onto ...

Posted April 22, 2019 in News, Opinion

Russian Governor Signs Agreement to Free Captive Whales

The Russian government has affirmed that the 10 orcas and 87 beluga whales being held captive at the “whale jail” ...

Posted April 10, 2019 in News

Whale Jail: From Global Outcry to International Cooperation

What began as a global outcry has evolved into a work of international cooperation. Yesterday, in Moscow, people of many ...

Posted April 5, 2019 in News

Press Conference in Moscow – Full Video

Two videos from today’s news conference with the Whale Sanctuary Project at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in ...

Posted April 4, 2019 in News

Whale Aid – Russia: News Release

The Whale Sanctuary Project issued the following news release this morning: WHALE AID – RUSSIA! Russia invites Whale Sanctuary Project ...

Posted April 4, 2019 in For the Media