Canadian government endorses a plan to move whales from shuttered Marineland park to US and Spain
TORONTO (AP) — The Canadian government on Wednesday approved a plan to relocate the last remaining captive whales. Closed theme park in Ontario A plan offered to aquariums in the United States and Spain that could save them from mass euthanasia if the deal goes through.
30 beluga whales and 4 dolphins left in the lake Marineland park and zoo in Niagara FallsOntario, which announced it was for sale in early 2023 and closed to the public in late summer 2024. No sales have been announced yet.
The former tourist attraction has since worked to move the remaining animals in the park and sell the sprawling property near Horseshoe Falls.
In 2024, Marineland was found guilty under Ontario’s animal cruelty laws in a case involving the care of three black bears.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans has issued the first batch of permits for the transport of whales and is preparing to issue other permits closer to the transport, which is expected to take place in the next few months. It recently issued permits for whales and dolphins under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (also known as CITES permits).
“I think this is a positive step forward,” Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said. “There’s more work to be done, but this is a step forward.”
According to data obtained by the state government through freedom of information laws and official statements, 20 whales have died at Marineland since 2019, including 19 beluga whales and one killer whale.
Thompson’s office said the department is coordinating with the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada and other ministries to “ensure all requirements for safe and timely transfer are met.”
Marineland said it was “fully committed to the safe and timely transportation of our beluga whales, and we want to be clear: this is our top priority.”
“Relocating these animals is an extraordinarily complex undertaking,” the park said in a statement.
The Canadian government hasn’t decided whether it will provide taxpayer dollars to help transport the whales.
Belugas and dolphins are set to head to five marine parks: Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia.
Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, where Marineland sent five beluga whales in 2021, will also help with the move, the American consortium said.
Marineland founder John Holer died in 2018. His wife, Marie Holer, took over the management of the park and put it up for sale in 2023 before her death in 2024.
The site has since been working to dismantle the park, which features roller coasters and other attractions.
