Protest against dolphin center in Beauval: One Voice calls for marine sanctuaries

Saint-Aignan – 01.08.2026: In Saint-Aignan, in the Loir-et-Cher department, animal welfare organization One Voice called for a demonstration on Saturday against the planned dolphin center at ZooParc de Beauval. The rally near the tourist office was scheduled for the morning. One Voice is calling for the animals concerned to be housed in marine sanctuaries rather than building new pools for them.

The protest was prompted by a center for dolphin studies, scientific research and rescue approved by the prefect of Loir-et-Cher in early June. Beauval plans to build ten pools for this purpose. Under the plans so far, dolphins from former French dolphinariums and, if necessary, from other European facilities are to be accommodated there. The government had put forward the zoo as a possible interim solution for animals living in captivity.

The search for accommodation became urgent following the closure of Marineland in Antibes in January 2025. There is still no permanent solution for the dolphins remaining there. At the same time, there are not enough suitable marine sanctuaries available. According to previous government figures, around 60 whales and dolphins from closing European facilities could need a new home in the coming years. Supporters point out that Beauval has sufficient space and veterinary infrastructure.

However, One Voice doubts that the planned facility would differ fundamentally from a dolphinarium. The organization criticizes the continued keeping of animals in artificial pools, as well as possible provisions concerning the breeding and relocation of the animals. Its lawyers say they are examining a legal challenge against the prefecture’s authorization. As early as 2016, the association had mobilized against previous plans for a dolphinarium in Beauval; the project was not carried out at the time.

Legally, the dispute concerns France’s 2021 animal welfare law. From 1 December 2026, it prohibits certain facilities from keeping and publicly displaying whales and dolphins. However, exceptions apply to scientific programs and rescue centers. Whether Beauval would actually create a rescue structure or establish permanent captivity under a different designation is therefore the central question in the dispute.

The government also faces a practical problem: a rapid transfer of all animals to marine sanctuaries has so far been prevented by a lack of capacity, approval procedures and veterinary care requirements. Moving them to foreign amusement parks would merely shift France’s intended move away from dolphin shows abroad. According to the plans so far, neither performances nor direct encounters between visitors and dolphins are planned in Beauval.

The demonstration turns an administrative decision into a public conflict over the future of dolphin captivity. One Voice regards marine sanctuaries as the only acceptable solution. Authorities and supporters, by contrast, consider a rescue center necessary because many of the animals cannot be released into the wild. The prefecture’s authorization thus becomes a concrete test of how the 2021 animal welfare law will be applied.