A significant milestone was reached at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, with the departure of a third batch of whales to aquariums south of the border on Wednesday. This operation represents the largest collective relocation of captive whales to date.
The process began around 3:30 p.m. under overcast skies as a team of specialists at the now-closed tourist attraction carefully guided six beluga whales into custom slings. The first whale, a male, was hoisted into bright blue tanks via a crane amidst a light drizzle. Despite concerns about weather disruptions due to potential thunderstorms, conditions improved, allowing the team to proceed without interruption.
The move continued into the evening, temporarily pausing to address the health of one of the females, who had a cut on her tail. After a thorough assessment and treatment, she was cleared for transport, with the back of her sling padded to ensure her safety during the journey.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., a police-escorted convoy departed for Toronto’s Pearson airport. The six whales, consisting of two males named Zephyr and Balor, and four females named Caspian, Pikachu, Secord, and Rain (also known as Spurlock), were scheduled to be flown to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Andrew Burns, an adviser for Marineland, expressed satisfaction with the relocation process, stating that it has been running "exceptionally well" with no significant issues reported. He noted that the relocation operation was progressing smoothly and highlighted the importance of prioritizing the whales' health. The move was a crucial step, decreasing the number of whales at the park to 11, a significant reduction considering that the park previously housed 30 belugas and four dolphins.
Three additional transfer movements are planned, including a nighttime flight to Spain for some dolphins and two belugas. The park closed to the public in 2024 due to financial constraints, making it increasingly challenging to care for the whales.
Tom Western, a retired Marineland employee who worked at the facility for 40 years, was present during the move and expressed joy at the relocation of the whales. He reflected on his long tenure at the park and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bid farewell to familiar faces in the pool.
Prior to the recent transfers, Marineland faced criticism and scrutiny over its treatment of marine life following a deal to sell its 30 belugas to a major aquarium in China, which was blocked by the fisheries minister due to concerns for the animals' welfare. Marineland issued a controversial statement indicating that it would euthanize the whales if no emergency funding was obtained from the federal government, a stance that generated international attention.
Subsequently, a new agreement was approved with a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums, facilitating the series of transfers that are now taking place. Future transfers will involve SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanogràfic Valencia in Spain, both expected to receive some of the remaining whales or dolphins from Marineland.
The urgency of these moves is underscored by the dire circumstances at Marineland, where if the whales are not relocated, euthanasia remains a troubling possibility. The park aims to have all its whales relocated by the end of the month, marking a potential end to an era of captivity for these marine mammals in Canada.
