“`html
For decades, Marineland, located near Niagara Falls, served as a prominent destination for Canadian families seeking immersive experiences with marine life.
However, beyond the aquatic-themed attractions and dolphin shows, the park has faced scrutiny regarding documented animal mistreatment and persistent financial challenges.
Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services has conducted numerous investigations in recent years, with CBC News reporting over 200 visits to the park since 2020.
Amidst financial difficulties, Marineland has sought permission to sell 30 beluga whales to China. Following the denial of permits, the park suggested euthanasia as a potential option for the whales.
Presently, advocates, experts, and officials are exploring avenues to safeguard the whales, although consensus on a single solution remains elusive, and some dismiss Marineland’s euthanasia threats as insincere.
Founded in 1961 by John and Marie Holer, the extensive aquatic park occupies over 1,000 acres (400 ha) of prime real estate in Ontario.
Once a cherished attraction with a memorable advertising jingle, Marineland has encountered increasing criticism concerning its animal care practices, encompassing both marine and land-based species such as bears and elk.
In 2019, Canada enacted legislation prohibiting the captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
While this legislation provides protection for future animals, it does not extend to those already in captivity, limiting federal government involvement in the Marineland whale situation.
Criticism of Marineland dates back several years, leading to an investigation by Animal Welfare Services in 2020.
The investigation resulted in the provincial animal welfare agency declaring that all of the park’s marine life was in distress due to substandard water quality. By 2024, following investments in new technology, the water quality had improved, as reported by the Canadian Press news agency.
However, in the same year, Marineland was found guilty under Ontario’s animal cruelty laws for abusing and neglecting three young black bears, who were confined in small enclosures with inadequate access to water for several months.
According to the Canadian Press, a total of twenty whales – one orca and 19 belugas – have died at Marineland since 2019. The company maintains that the animals received proper care and that the deaths were part of the natural life cycle.
Attendance at the park has significantly decreased, and it remained closed to tourists this spring, deviating from its usual practice. Many anticipate that bankruptcy is inevitable.
“Unfortunately, they’re telling us they’re burning the furniture to heat the house,” Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati told Radio-Canada on Friday. “There’s no money.”
Park officials assert their inability to continue providing care for the animals and the necessity of finding them new homes. Marineland submitted an application to the federal government seeking permission to sell the whales to a theme park in Zhuhai, China.
However, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson cited concerns that the whales would face similarly substandard treatment as “public entertainment” in the Chinese park and denied Marineland’s request.
Numerous organizations concurred with Thompson’s assessment that the Zhuhai park was unsuitable.
Subsequently, Marineland alarmed many by informing the government of a potential need to euthanize the whales. The park has requested funding from the Canadian government to sustain the animals’ care instead.
A Marineland letter to the fisheries ministry, obtained by the BBC, stated that any outcome for the animals would be “a direct consequence of the minister’s decision.”
The government did not respond favorably to this assertion.
“The fact that Marineland has not planned for a viable alternative despite raising these whales in captivity for many years, does not place the onus on the Canadian government to cover your expenses,” Thompson stated in a letter to Marineland, as obtained by the BBC.
The current status of the whales remains uncertain. Marineland did not respond to a BBC request for comment.
However, Phil Demers, a former senior trainer at Marineland who has become an outspoken critic, told the BBC that there were limited options, besides the one in China, that could take all 30 whales at one facility.
He believes the best-case scenario for the whales is any option that gets them out of Marineland, quickly.
Without China, he thinks the best possible outcome is a coalition of US facilities each taking a handful of whales.
“These animals need to be out of those waters, yesterday,” Mr Demers said.
Others argue that the conditions warrant provincial government intervention to seize the whales.
Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, Ontario can appoint inspectors to assume care of animals in distress and recover costs from the facility’s owner.
This is a first step many want to see Ontario Premier Doug Ford take.
“Premier Ford needs to realize whether he likes it or not, Ontario has primary jurisdiction over captive wildlife within the province’s borders,” Colin Saravanamuttoo, Executive Director of World Animal Protection Canada, said. “This game of chicken between Marineland, the province and Ottawa is totally unacceptable – Premier Ford needs to step up, lead and stop passing the buck.”
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation, an animal welfare organisation, also wrote to Ford asking him to commission independent veterinary assessments of each whale so “that every individual receives a humane and compassionate outcome”.
Ford’s office did not return the BBC’s request for comment.
The Whale and Dolphin Conservation wants to see the whales sent to a sanctuary in Nova Scotia run by The Whale Sanctuary Project.
But there are some caveats.
Charles Vinick, Chief Executive Officer of the Whale Sanctuary, said that facility will not be ready until next summer and will only be able to take eight to ten of the whales.
“There is no open sanctuary who can accommodate them today or tomorrow,” he said.
For now, as options for how to save the whales continue to be discussed, there’s widespread confidence that Marineland’s talk of euthanasia is just talk.
“The whole threat of euthanasia is a bluster,” Mr Demers, the former Marineland employee, said.
But the clock is ticking to find a solution that gives these animals a better, safer life.
“It’s going to take more than one person, or one organization to provide these animals the quality life they deserve,” Mr Vinick said.
Rudi, a lurcher, was found by a member of the public near a golf course in Newport.
Mail deliveries have been disrupted in Canada as postal workers strike for the second time in two years.
Hundreds of exotic creatures, including snakes, lizards and tortoises died or had to be put down.
Jade Elouise Williamson has been banned from keeping pets and she admitted leaving the dog alone.
The project was abandoned by the Biden and Obama administrations, though Trump has said he would weigh reviving it.
“`