This is a series of posts about our work in selecting a location for the first seaside sanctuary in North America for orcas and/or beluga whales who can be retired from captivity at marine entertainment parks.
In British Columbia, we have researched hundreds of locations that would be ideal for orcas, and we’ve visited dozens of them around Vancouver Island. Most, however, are too far from human civilization – fresh water, power, transport, schools, medical facilities – to be practical. But one that fits many of the necessary physical criteria and has better access to civilization is Mound Island.
More about British Columbia in this post.
The San Juan Islands, by comparison, are within easy reach of a major metropolitan area. But most of the sites that would be good for whales are also close to people with homes and businesses nearby. One location that doesn’t have this challenge is Deepwater Bay on Cypress Island.
More about Deepwater Bay in this post.
Nova Scotia is the third region we’ve been exploring. And several small communities have stepped forward not only to offer their help in finding a suitable location, but to engage with us as potential partners in the creation of a beluga sanctuary.
More about Nova Scotia in this post.
Next: Site Search in British Columbia.