Neuroscientist Lori Marino Leads Efforts to Establish Whale and Elephant Sanctuaries

Marino's work focuses on the cognitive complexities of cetaceans and elephants, challenging traditional views on animal captivity.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:27am

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric shapes and intersecting waveforms that conceptually represent the complex neural networks and cognitive processes of whales and elephants.Marino's groundbreaking research on the cognitive abilities of whales and elephants has inspired a new era of compassionate animal advocacy.Today in Miami

Dr. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, has dedicated her career to understanding and improving the lives of animals globally. Through her research, she has explored how confinement in zoos and aquariums can harm the brains of cetaceans and elephants, and she has worked to establish what is described as the 'gold standard' for large marine sanctuaries to provide a more natural environment for these animals.

Why it matters

Marino's work aligns with a broader cultural shift in the marine entertainment industry, as the 2013 film 'Blackfish' significantly impacted public perception of the extreme stress that captive whales experience. Her advocacy extends beyond marine mammals to elephants as well, highlighting the similar suffering these animals face in captivity.

The details

Marino is a founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, which involves complex logistical and legal work to coordinate with government agencies and manage site development for these large marine sanctuaries. The project has also seen collaborations with non-profit organizations and commercial entities, such as the Miami Seaquarium, regarding the relocation of captive whales and belugas. In addition to her work on animal welfare, Marino has engaged in paleontological research, discussing discoveries regarding archeocetes, the ancestral animals known as ancient whales.

  • Marino has explored the impact of animal captivity on cognition through a series of webinars and conversations.
  • The 2013 film 'Blackfish' significantly impacted the marine entertainment industry by revealing the extreme stress that captive whales experience.

The players

Dr. Lori Marino

A neuroscientist and the founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, who has dedicated her career to understanding and improving the lives of animals globally.

Whale Sanctuary Project

An organization founded by Marino that aims to establish what is described as the 'gold standard' for large marine sanctuaries, providing a more natural environment for captive whales and other cetaceans.

The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy

An organization co-founded by Marino that focuses on the cognitive complexities of cetaceans and elephants, challenging traditional views on animal captivity.

Scott and Kat Blais

The founders of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, who manage a 2,800-acre sanctuary in Brazil and have collaborated with Marino on issues related to elephant welfare.

Dr. Mark Uhen

A paleontologist who has collaborated with Marino on research regarding archeocetes, the ancestral animals known as ancient whales.

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What’s next

Marino and her team at the Whale Sanctuary Project continue to work on securing permits and developing sites for new large marine sanctuaries, with the goal of providing a more natural and humane environment for captive whales and other cetaceans.

The takeaway

Marino's work highlights the importance of understanding the cognitive complexities of animals like cetaceans and elephants, and the need to move away from traditional captive environments that can cause significant psychological harm. Her advocacy efforts, including the establishment of large marine sanctuaries, represent a shift towards a more compassionate and scientifically-informed approach to animal welfare.