Marineland informs feds belugas may be euthanized

Article content

Marineland informed the federal government Friday that the shuttered theme park may be forced to euthanize their remaining beluga whales if relocating them to another aquarium is not an option.

Article content

In a two-page letter addressed to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, Marineland’s owners said Wednesday’s decision to deny an export licence for 30 belugas to a theme park in China leaves them in a difficult spot.

Article content

Article content

“This decision has far-reaching implications and effectively prohibits the export of the beluga whales to any operational aquarium worldwide,” the letter, from Marineland of Canada Inc., reads.

Thompson said the decision made not to allow the export of the marine mammals from the Niagara Falls, Ont., amusement park was to protect them from exploitation.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” Thompson said in her decision.

If the request had been allowed, the belugas would have been sent to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai, China.

Article content

Article content

Marineland said it understands Thompson’s belief against captivity for the whales and do not oppose that viewpoint.

The park’s owners also said it acknowledges that there are no operational sanctuaries that could accept the belugas, who were born in captivity. Releasing them to the wild would lead to their immediate deaths, they added.

“This leaves us in a precarious position, as Marineland is not aware of any facility, anywhere in the world, that meets the conditions set forth by the Minister for the export of these majestic animals,” the owners wrote.

They ask if Thompson is aware of any facility that can house the belugas, noting that time is of the essence and that they are concerned for the animal’s future.

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Marineland said they have made it clear to the federal government that the park is in a critical financial state, fully indebted and rapidly running out of resources to take adequate care of the belugas.

“Our only options at this point are to either relocate the whales of face the devastating decision of euthanasia,” they wrote. “This is an outcome we are desperately trying to avoid.”

Marineland, which typically closes for fall and winter and reopens in the spring, did not open this year to the public. In June, the park’s amusement rides were quietly put up for sale.

Marineland said it is asking Ottawa if it is prepared to offer funding to help take proper care of the whales until a suitable relocation option can be arranged.

Article content

“The gravity of the funding crisis at Marineland cannot be overstated,” they wrote. “Any further delay jeopardizes the welfare and security of the whales, and we fear we are running out of time to act.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

The park’s ownership said it is requesting a response from the federal government no later than Tuesday. If they don’t receive any answers to their questions, they will presume Ottawa will only offer a negative response.

“In such an unfortunate scenario, we will inform all stakeholders and the public accordingly and proceed with actions that will be a direct consequence of the Minister’s decision.”

John Holer opened Marineland in 1961 and ran the theme park until his death in 2018. His widow continued operating the attraction under Holer Family Amusements until her death in 2024.

Article content