A plan to rescue the dolphins at Marineland is being examined at Beauval, at the government’s request

Marineland in Antibes has been closed for several months. Last March, ZooParc de Beauval took in Humboldt penguins from Marineland, as did other French and European zoos. However, several species remain at the park, with no long-term solution in sight as yet. The keepers continue to provide them with high-quality care and their welfare remains safeguarded, which is essential.

Faced with this impasse, the government has asked Beauval to consider a rehoming plan. Unfortunately, the ZooParc de Beauval is unable to take in the orcas, as they are social animals and we could not guarantee that their needs would be met in a way that respects their welfare.

Conversely, discussions are underway regarding the dolphins, with the aim of providing them with a sustainable solution. The project Beauval is working on, at the government’s request, would involve a vast natural lagoon, comprising three lagoon pools (capable of accommodating a total of between 20 and 25 dolphins) and three medical pools, along with facilities designed to ensure their wellbeing.

This project addresses a wider need: nearly 65 dolphins across Europe are awaiting rehoming.

A proposed centre for cetacean research and conservation

In addition to taking in the dolphins from Marineland, the project would involve, in particular:

• Establishing a centre for cetacean research and conservation, with projects carried out at Beauval and at sea,
• Establishing a mobile team capable of intervening to treat or rescue animals in distress in the wild
• Establishing partnerships with marine sanctuaries.

At a meeting chaired by Barbara Pompili, Ambassador for the Environment, several associations and NGOs (C’est assez !, One Voice, Sea Shepherd France, Tilikum’s Spirit) acknowledged the current impasse and welcomed this project, which is regarded as the only credible option to date.

Rodolphe Delord, CEO of ZooParc de Beauval, was invited to this meeting, which proved to be particularly constructive:
“You know of my passion for the animal cause and animal welfare. It is my raison d’être, my reason for living. For many months now, I have been deeply concerned about the future of the animals at Marineland in Antibes. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France’s Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, the Sea and Fisheries, and Barbara Pompili, the Environment Ambassador, have asked me to consider a solution for the dolphins there, as well as for other dolphins that might come from other parks. This was not at all part of our plans, but I believe the priority is to help these animals and ensure their greatest possible wellbeing. I cannot guarantee that this project will come to fruition or be realised. If there are other projects in France that can provide excellent conditions for these animals, we will support them, but in the meantime we will be working with our experts, our vets, our biologists, our animal carers, and French and European specialists.”