About the Whale Sanctuary Project
Our Mission
We work to transform the way people relate to whales and dolphins by bringing an end to their exploitation and by creating seaside sanctuaries, assisting with international marine mammal rescues, and advancing whale and dolphin science.
Our Vision
Our vision is of a world in which all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) are treated with respect and are no longer confined to concrete tanks in entertainment parks and aquariums.
Creating the Sanctuary
With your help, we are creating a gold-standard coastal sanctuary in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia, where cetaceans (whales and dolphins) can live in an environment that maximizes well-being and autonomy and is as close as possible to their natural habitat. It is being designed to serve as a model for many more that can then be built all over the world in the coming years.
Public opinion has turned against keeping whales and dolphins in captivity. There are already sanctuaries for many land animals who are being retired from zoos and circuses. Now is the time to provide them for whales and dolphins.
The creation of this sanctuary is the first step toward our vision of a world in which all cetaceans are treated with respect and are no longer confined to concrete tanks in entertainment parks and aquariums.
Whale Aid Programs
Whale Aid, a program of the Whale Sanctuary Project, provides aid to captive and free-ranging cetaceans in need through hands-on assistance and leadership, shared expertise and education.
Whale Aid is dedicated to protecting each cetacean’s ability to thrive in a natural habitat. It is a global outreach to organizations that need assistance in their work, whether on behalf of captive whales or those who are free ranging.
The Team
The Whale Sanctuary team comprises experts from around the world in fields ranging from veterinary care to transport to construction and engineering.
The Science
Intelligence, cognition and emotion in whales and dolphins; how these cetaceans fare in captivity; what the scientific evidence says about the claims made by the captivity industry regarding the educational value of displaying these animals in concrete tanks; and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the sanctuary be ready to receive whales from marine entertainment parks and aquariums? How much it cost? Can captive whales simply be returned to the open ocean? How can I be involved? And many more.