TORONTO - Marineland, the amusement park located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has introduced a plan to the Canadian federal government for the export of its remaining captive whales and dolphins to various institutions across the United States. This request comes with an urgent deadline for Ottawa to issue the necessary export permits, or else Marineland threatens to euthanize 30 beluga whales and four dolphins. Sources within Marineland, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that preparations for euthanasia have been made.
Marineland's plan was recently presented directly to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, who expressed support during a briefing. However, specific details of this "definitive and urgent rescue solution" were not disclosed. According to Marineland, the success of this mission relies entirely on Thompson's prompt authorization of the export permits, as the survival of these marine mammals hinges on swift action from the government.
Thompson's office confirmed the meeting with Marineland and stated that the minister was presented with new export permit applications. Her office assured that the minister would review these applications expeditiously. Since closing its doors to the public in late summer 2024, Marineland has sought to sell its land, which is home to various animals, including the belugas and dolphins, seals, sea lions, bears, and deer.
Sources indicate that Marineland has established agreements to transfer the whales and dolphins to four institutions in the United States: SeaWorld, Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and Mystic Aquarium. Veterinarians from these facilities visited Marineland the previous week to assess the health of the belugas and dolphins. Additionally, a deal has been arranged to sell the land for residential and commercial use, contingent upon the removal of the animals.
Since 2019, Marineland has seen the deaths of 20 whales, comprising one killer whale and 19 belugas, according to an ongoing tally based on internal records and official statements. The park attempted to relocate all its belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China in the fall of 2024, but this request was denied by Minister Thompson, who voiced concerns about the potential for the whales to perform in captivity—consistent with the provisions of the Free Willy bill passed in 2019 that restricts whale and dolphin captivity in Canada.
This legislation, which does not apply retroactively to Marineland's existing marine mammals, prohibits breeding and performance, and restricts importing and exporting marine mammals, albeit with exceptions at the minister's discretion if it serves the animals' best interest. Despite the proposals, Thompson did not find it beneficial to transport the whales at that time, prompting Marineland's urgent appeal for federal operating funds to avoid the euthanasia of its belugas. This ultimatum led to significant media attention and sparked international controversy.
The situation intensified as Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the federal government for handling the crisis, while the federal authorities contended that Ontario held responsibility for animal welfare. Presently, all 30 belugas remain alive, although two males have been undergoing medical treatment intermittently.
In mid-October, both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its Canadian counterpart pledged to assist in finding alternatives for the animals, asserting that discussions about euthanasia were "unnecessary and unjustified" as long as the health of the belugas permitted rescue and transport. Marineland's new plan to move its whales to American marine parks is being characterized as a "rescue operation," wherein the animals will be separated but efforts will be made to keep family units together. Some transfers may even reunite males and females who had been kept apart per Canadian breeding laws.
The Canadian government previously approved a smaller transfer of Marineland animals in 2021 when five belugas were sold to Mystic Aquarium and transported to Connecticut. However, within two years post-transfer, two of these belugas died, with Mystic Aquarium attributing their deaths to pre-existing conditions.
