Marineland, a former amusement park and zoo in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has submitted requests to the Canadian government for authorization to transfer all of its 30 beluga whales, as stated by a federal government source knowledgeable about the matter. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a theme park in Zhuhai, China, has disclosed to CBC News that they are deliberating on purchasing the whales. This year marked the first time in Marineland’s six-decade history, excluding closures due to COVID-19, that the park did not commence its season, sparking concerns about the welfare of the remaining animals on the premises.
Since 2019, nineteen belugas have perished at the park, with the last orca, Kiska, passing away in 2023. Drone footage captured by CBC News at Marineland in late July showed approximately twelve staff members tending to the belugas and dolphins through feeding and interaction. Following Bill S-203, the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act enacted in 2019, utilizing cetaceans for breeding or entertainment is prohibited in Canada.
The export of cetaceans is restricted, except under a special permit issued by the Minister of Fisheries for scientific research or for the well-being of the cetacean in captivity. Canada has not granted any cetacean export permits since May 2021 when five belugas from Marineland were sold to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where three of them succumbed to various health issues within two years.
Andrew Trites, the director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia, emphasized the importance of evaluating the whales’ health for potential travel, considering factors like blood work and feeding patterns. Marineland did not provide further details on its export applications despite multiple requests from CBC News. Inspections by Animal Welfare Services at Marineland have occurred over 220 times since 2020 to ensure compliance with care standards.
Animal Justice’s Camille Labchuk views the forthcoming decision on Marineland’s applications as a critical test of the 2019 act, emphasizing the need to consider the well-being of the whales in any potential transfer. Labchuk advocates for placing the belugas in a seaside sanctuary partially funded by Marineland, highlighting the absence of such a sanctuary in North America. Trites cautioned against releasing the belugas into the wild, as they are ill-equipped for survival in that environment.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson is awaiting a departmental report before making a decision on Marineland’s applications, with a commitment to prioritizing the animals’ welfare while upholding the law.
