The Nova Scotia government has approved plans for Canada's first-ever whale sanctuary, which could house some of the beluga whales currently living at Marineland in Niagara Falls.
Following the approval, the Whale Sanctuary Project can now start building and raising the capital funds for a sanctuary for captive cetaceans.
Animal Justice, Canada’s animal law advocacy organisation, said the sanctuary "offers real hope for a permanent, peaceful home for many of the beluga whales currently suffering in tanks at Marineland".
The Whale Sanctuary Project will transform a natural cove in Nova Scotia's Hilford Bay into a home for whales that is "100 times larger than Marineland's cramped tanks", Animal Justice said.
Whales living at the sanctuary will be able to swim in the ocean and explore a natural environment while receiving the care they will require to survive after being captive.
“This is truly a day of celebration,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice.
Sanctuary could house Marineland beluga whales
“This sanctuary finally offers a real path to freedom for many of Canada’s last remaining captive whales. It’s a dignified place where these intelligent, social animals will have a chance to live out their lives in peace, in the ocean where they belong.
"With this sanctuary, Canada has an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in compassionate, science-based care for whales retired from captivity.”
Marineland, an aquarium, zoo and theme park in Niagara Falls, has threatened to euthanise 30 beluga whales after Canada's fisheries minister blocked their transfer to a theme park in China.
With the sanctuary approved, Animal Justice said the Ontario and federal governments "must act swiftly to ensure as many belugas as possible are relocated to the sanctuary, which could be operational by summer 2026".
There is no confirmation yet on whether Marineland's whales will be relocated to the proposed sanctuary.
However, the Whale Sanctuary Project said it will provide an update in the coming days on "the whales who are prospects for coming to the Nova Scotia sanctuary".
Donations to the Whale Sanctuary Project can be made here.
