Marineland, the now-closed theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has informed the Canadian government of its intention to euthanize 30 captive belugas and four dolphins on-site unless it receives approval to transport them to the United States, as revealed by CBC News. A delegation from Marineland held discussions with Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, presenting export permits for the relocation of the marine mammals overseas.
During the meeting, Marineland set a pressing deadline for the permit approval, indicating that if the authorization is not granted in time, they will proceed with their existing plan to euthanize the whales. The park aims to transfer the belugas and dolphins to various U.S. facilities, including Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and a SeaWorld site.
Although CBC attempted to contact all four U.S. facilities, only Georgia Aquarium and Mystic Aquarium responded, offering similar statements that did not confirm their readiness to accept the belugas and dolphins. Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) facilitated a visit by a group of renowned aquatic behavior and veterinary experts from Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and SeaWorld to observe the belugas at Marineland.
Jennifer Sherman, Vice President of Marketing at Mystic Aquarium, emphasized that it is premature for the U.S. facilities to commit formally to receiving the belugas, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the animals’ well-being and future based on the observations from the recent visit.
Meanwhile, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) stated that they have not been directly involved in the recent discussions regarding the potential transfer of beluga whales from Marineland. The AZA President and CEO, Dan Ashe, highlighted the expertise of U.S. facilities in beluga whale care and expressed confidence in their ability to assess rescue options effectively.
Confirming the meeting, Minister Thompson’s office stated that she had met with Marineland at their request and received new export permits, which are currently under expedited review. This marks the second instance in four months that Marineland has raised the possibility of euthanizing the belugas and dolphins, following a previous threat related to financial support from the government.
Animal rights group Animal Justice urged the Canadian government to ensure that any export conditions comply with Canadian law and prevent the animals from being exploited for breeding or entertainment purposes in the U.S. Amidst the ongoing discussions, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the federal government have exchanged blame regarding the situation at Marineland, underscoring the complex welfare issues.
Marineland has faced continuous controversy over the years due to its practices, with ongoing opposition from animal rights activists and others. The closure of the park to the public in 2024, combined with the legal restrictions on keeping marine mammals in captivity, has posed significant challenges for Marineland’s operations and future plans for the animals in its care.