Animal welfare activists have criticized Marineland for threatening to euthanize the 30 remaining beluga whales at its closed amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The park has given the Canadian government until Tuesday to provide funding for the whales’ care or allow their export. World Animal Protection Canada is urging the provincial government to step in and take custody of the belugas to prevent their demise.
Erin Ryan, wildlife campaign manager at the organization, condemned Marineland’s actions as morally wrong, stating that decisions about euthanasia should be based on veterinary evaluations of the animals’ well-being rather than financial considerations. Marineland, in a letter to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, cited financial distress and inability to provide adequate care for the belugas as reasons for seeking export permits, which were recently denied.
The company warned that delaying action could endanger the whales’ welfare and called the denial of export permits a direct cause of any potential euthanasia decisions. Responding to the situation, Thompson criticized Marineland’s request for immediate federal funding after the export permit refusal, emphasizing that the decision was in line with strengthened animal protection laws.
Since 2019, 19 belugas have died at Marineland, and the last orca, Kiska, passed away in 2023. Concerns about the future of the remaining animals at the park have been raised, especially as Marineland faces financial challenges. Calls have been made for collaborative efforts between governments and animal experts to find suitable solutions for the belugas, including the establishment of a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia.
Experts and activists have expressed shock at Marineland’s ultimatum and have called for urgent intervention to protect the belugas. With export permits denied, options are limited, and the animals’ well-being remains a priority. Efforts to explore alternative care arrangements, research opportunities, and conservation initiatives have been proposed to ensure a positive outcome for the belugas.
