When they hear about The Whale Sanctuary Project, many people assume that it’s primarily about orcas. But beluga whales are also central to the work of the project, and the waters of Nova Scotia are among their home territories, which makes the region well-suited to a seaside sanctuary.
At least 75 belugas are currently held in captivity in the U.S. and Canada, and their wellbeing is just as poor as it is for orcas. In captivity, their lives are significantly shortened, and they have an especially difficult time breeding successfully because of their very specific social needs. For example, they need an intact social group, including family members, in order to choose mates and raise their young properly. These conditions almost never exist in theme parks.
In the wild there are also belugas who live as “lone sociables” rather than in family groups, and they sometimes interact with people. In 1993, Catherine Kinsman was authorized by the Canadian government to watch over an orphan known as Wilma, who had been trying to make friends with fishermen and tourists for five years. Belugas like Wilma sometimes end up in need of special care, and a seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia could be of benefit for them.