The Whale Sanctuary Blog

Let’s Get the Narrative Straight

As more captive cetacean facilities close, the industry is claiming that animal advocacy organizations are to blame for the lack ...

Posted November 11, 2025 in News, Opinion

New Study Reveals Ongoing Suffering of Captive Whales and Dolphins

New peer-reviewed paper shows that serious welfare challenges persist for captive cetaceans, especially orcas and belugas.

Posted October 31, 2025 in News

Righting an Original Wrong

(Eighth in a series.) In 1861, the showman PT Barnum began capturing beluga whales for use as entertainment. The creation ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Toward a Global Sanctuary Movement

(Seventh in a series.) The creation of the Nova Scotia sanctuary is the essential first step in the larger mission ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Care of the Whales Before and After Coming to the Sanctuary

(Sixth in a series.) Bringing the whales to the sanctuary falls into three main phases.

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Sanctuary Timetable

(Fifth in a series.) Capital costs for constructing the sanctuary and for rehabilitating and transporting the first whale residents, and ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

What “Permits” Are Needed?

(Fourth in a series.)We are often asked questions like “Do you have all the permits you need?” A brief outline ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Progress at the Sanctuary Site

(Third in a series.) With a clear path ahead, we are now able to seek capital funding from donors and ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

The Whales Who Are Candidates for the Sanctuary

(Second in a series.) Whales who have been dominating the news over the last year include Wikie and Keijo in ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Nova Scotia Sanctuary – Status Report Fall 2025

(First in a series.) Nova Scotia government's Order in Council means we now have a clear path to begin construction ...

Posted October 28, 2025 in News

Government Clears Path Forward for Nova Scotia Sanctuary

The Nova Scotia government has today issued an Order in Council, confirming the report and recommendation of the Minister of ...

Posted October 21, 2025 in For the Media, News

Updates on the Beluga Whales at Marineland Canada

Updates from major media on the crisis at Marineland Canada while we work with ally organizations in Canada to create ...

Posted October 10, 2025 in News

In Memory of Dr. Jane Goodall

Along with millions of other people around the world, we mourn the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall. What more can ...

Posted October 2, 2025 in News

Permission Denied for Marineland Canada to Export Beluga Whales to Entertainment Park in China

Minister Joanne Thompson that she could not “in good conscience” approve the export and that “to approve the request would ...

Posted October 1, 2025 in News

Peer Reviewed Paper Calls for Accredited Cetacean Sanctuaries

A peer-reviewed paper, authored by members of the Whale Sanctuary Project, National Aquarium in Baltimore, and SEA LIFE TRUST is ...

Posted May 21, 2025 in News

Spain Rejects Marineland Antibes Plan to Transfer Orcas to Zoo in Canary Islands

As Spain rejects plan to transfer orcas to zoo in Canary Islands. Whale Sanctuary Project reiterates offer to bring them ...

Posted April 14, 2025 in News

Mi’kmaq Nation & Whale Sanctuary Work Toward Official Relationship

On April 9th, 2025, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs issued a media release announcing that the Assembly and ...

Posted April 10, 2025 in News

Marineland Canada Seeks to Remove Whales “Expeditiously”

For the 31 beluga whales, along with all the other animals, it’s time for an all-in collaborative effort.

Posted March 18, 2025 in News

The Two Marinelands

Updates on Wikie & Keijo, the orcas at Marineland Antibes, and the 31 beluga whales at Marineland Canada

Posted March 14, 2025 in News

Whale Sanctuary Project Offers Help in Providing Sanctuary Solution for Marineland Antibes Orcas

While a coastal sanctuary in Greece or elsewhere in Mediterranean may be a solution for dolphins, it is not a ...

Posted February 16, 2025 in News

Ministry of Ecological Transition Rejects Application to Bring Orcas from Marineland Antibes to Sanctuary

Questions remain over the validity of reasons given by the ministry.

Posted January 27, 2025 in News

Conclusions of Marine Environmental Site Analyses at the Whale Sanctuary Project Site

The Whale Sanctuary Project has completed a three-year series of in-depth environmental analyses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ...

Posted January 14, 2025 in News

2024: A Team Effort to Help the Whales Who Need It Most

Building the first sanctuary for orcas and beluga whales is truly a global collaborative effort and we are indebted to ...

Posted December 31, 2024 in News

What Kind of “Ambassador” Was the Orca Keto at Loro Parque Zoo?

In the wake of Keto’s death, the zoo may be able to replenish their diminishing collection of orcas with the ...

Posted December 12, 2024 in News

French Minister Opposes Transfer of Orcas Wikie & Keijo to Aquarium in Japan

The decision of the French minister to oppose transfer of Wikie and Keijo to Japan leaves two options: retirement to ...

Posted November 26, 2024 in News

South Korean Aquarium Signals Intent to Send Beluga Whale to Sanctuary

A Letter of Intent with LotteWorld Aquarium “to enter a dialogue concerning the relocation of the beluga whale known as ...

Posted November 22, 2024 in News

How to Welcome a Whale to Sanctuary

What will it be like for a whale arriving at the sanctuary after a lifetime spent in a small concrete ...

Posted November 15, 2024 in News

For Wikie and Keijo, a Fork in the Road Ahead

As Marineland Antibes prepares to close its orca exhibit, two possible futures await the mother and son orcas.

Posted November 8, 2024 in News

The Honourable Murray Sinclair: 1951-2024

We are saddened to hear of the passing of the Honourable Murray Sinclair, the Anishinaabe senator, judge and leader in ...

Posted November 5, 2024 in News

Whales, Waves & Buoys

How the new Wine Harbour buoy will help ensure a safe environment for whales at the sanctuary.

Posted October 31, 2024 in News

Jane Goodall, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Sylvia Earle Endorse Sanctuary for French Orcas

A letter to the Minister for Ecological Transition, Energy, the Climate and Risk Prevention re. the future of the mother-and-son ...

Posted October 29, 2024 in News

French Government Prioritizes “Well-being” of Captive Orcas Wikie & Keijo

In its report, the French government emphasizes the well-being of the whales as the primary consideration in its recommendations as ...

Posted October 10, 2024 in News

For Wikie & Keijo, Whale Sanctuary Project Is “Most Credible Innovative Solution”

French government inspectorate says Whale Sanctuary Project is best sanctuary solution for captive orcas at Marineland Antibes.

Posted October 3, 2024 in News

Hvaldimir – Beloved Whale Is Found Dead

Hvaldimir, the beloved beluga whale who escaped from captivity in Russia and made a new life for himself, was found ...

Posted September 10, 2024 in News

What It Takes and How You Can Help

We are now seeking funds for both the capital expenditures for construction of the sanctuary and the operations to get ...

Posted June 13, 2024 in News

A Global Movement Is Born

This year, we have been in contact with several groups and organizations that are seeking to create cetacean sanctuaries. And, ...

Posted June 12, 2024 in News