Dolphins at Marineland: Beauval sanctuary abandoned, feared export to Asia

The former dolphins from Marineland risk being exported to Asia. The general director of ZooParc de Beauval abandoned the dolphin sanctuary project this Tuesday, August 25. The reason: the increase in creation costs, opposition from NGOs and a lack of financial guarantee from the State.

Announced this Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the general director of ZooParc de Beauval, Rodolphe Delord, is abandoning the dolphin sanctuary creation project. There is therefore no longer a French reception solution, leaving the cetaceans in Spain for now, at Selwo Marina, following the permanent closure of Marineland Antibes in January 2025. It was supposed to welcome 25 dolphins, including eight of the twelve cetaceans from Marineland.

This two-and-a-half hectare project came about following a request from the government and certain associations. It was planned as a center for research, scientific study and conservation, comprising ten pools and three immense lagoons. The cost of the feasibility study amounted to 1.5 million euros.

Without state guarantee, Beauval backs down

This Beauval ambition ran into drastic economic realities. The construction cost, entirely borne by the zoo, came to 45 million euros, whereas it was initially planned between 25 and 30 million euros.

Rodolphe Delord regrets the government’s refusal to grant a state guarantee. To the AFP, he confides that « the legal and financial uncertainties that currently weigh on the project do not allow us to carry it out under acceptable conditions. »

This dolphinarium nevertheless sparked numerous protests from NGOs such as C’est Assez! and One Voice Animal. Legal proceedings and demonstrations took place to denounce practices deemed incompatible with the 2021 law on animal welfare. One Voice claims, on X, with relief: « Nothing is over. The dolphins from Marineland and the orcas Wikie and Keijo are still waiting for a worthy solution. » The association plans to be at Marineland on September 5 for a gathering.

In an official statement, the same association hailed a « decision of reason », adding that opening such a project would have been « an anachronism, running counter to what is happening everywhere in the world ». The latter calls on the government to work on genuine marine sanctuaries.

A « moral responsibility » of NGOs and the government

Rodolphe Delord, for his part, places the moral responsibility on these associations and the government. « Some associations will no doubt present the abandonment of this project as a victory. But those who opposed it now bear a moral responsibility. Because opposing a solution is not enough, one must be able to propose another one that is at least as good for the animals », he admits to the AFP.

Other NGOs, such as Sea Shepherd, supported Beauval. According to them, it was the only viable solution on French territory. The Ministry of Ecological Transition also expresses regrets. Mathieu Lefèvre in a statement stresses that this dolphinarium « respected all the most demanding scientific and animal welfare standards. » He promises the search for a solution « in accordance with French law and animal welfare. »

Now, the fate of these 12 dolphins is uncertain. Without a national solution, the danger lies in their departure outside European borders. The general director of ZooParc de Beauval, for the AFP, fears they could end their lives « in hotels or Asian theme parks » with much less protective standards.