Background on Marineland and Its History
Marineland, a popular tourist attraction near Niagara Falls, has been under scrutiny for several years due to the conditions in which it housed its animals. Located in Ontario, Canada, Marineland has faced allegations of poor animal welfare and mistreatment. The park attempted to sell its assets following the closure of its doors to the public in 2024.
Animal Mortality at Marineland
According to Canadian Press, at least 20 orcas and 19 belugas have died since 2019 at Marineland. This alarming trend highlights the park’s questionable animal care practices.
Canada Denies Export Request for Beluga Whales
On Wednesday, Canada denied a request from Marineland to export 30 beluga whales to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai, China. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson explained that the decision was made to protect these marine mammals from further exploitation.
Thompson’s Statement
“I could not, in good conscience, approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured,” Thompson said in a statement.
Belugas as Captive Animals in Canada
The 30 belugas at Marineland are the last captive whales in Canada. Thompson emphasized that “whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our entertainment.”
Animal Welfare Investigations at Marineland
Since 2020, animal welfare inspectors from the Ontario province have been investigating Marineland. Their reports revealed that all animals were suffering due to poor water quality within the park.
In 2021, Marineland sent five belugas to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, USA. By the end of 2023, three of these belugas had passed away.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Marineland? Marineland is a popular tourist attraction near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, that has faced scrutiny for its animal welfare practices.
- Why did Canada deny the export request? Canada denied the request to protect beluga whales from further exploitation, as stated by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson.
- How many belugas are left in captivity in Canada? There are 30 belugas remaining in captivity at Marineland, which is the last captive beluga population in Canada.
- What issues have been identified at Marineland? Animal welfare inspectors have reported poor water quality, leading to animal suffering. Additionally, there have been numerous animal deaths since 2019.
- What is the current status of belugas at Marineland? Following the denial of export, the future of these 30 belugas at Marineland remains uncertain as the park faces ongoing scrutiny.
