Overview
- ZooParc de Beauval announced Tuesday that it will not build the proposed delphinarium, citing a rise in the project cost to about €45 million, multiple NGO legal challenges, and the government's refusal to provide a public financing guarantee.
- Eight of Marineland's 12 dolphins were moved to Benalmádena in July and will remain in temporary Spanish facilities while four dolphins slated for transfer to Valencia and two orcas still lack confirmed, long-term French homes.
- About a dozen animal‑protection groups—including C'est Assez! and One Voice—filed repeated court challenges against Beauval's plan while groups such as Sea Shepherd urged pragmatic solutions to avoid harmful relocations.
- Stakeholders are considering several fallback options, such as extended stays in Spain, transfers to parks in Asia or the United States, or placement in planned marine sanctuaries that currently lack capacity, each option raising welfare and legal concerns.
- The minister in charge expressed regret and pledged to keep searching for a legally compliant, welfare‑focused solution but offered no new concrete plan, leaving immediate responsibility for the animals' futures unresolved.