Marineland warns it may euthanize 30 belugas as Ottawa and Ontario debate who should act. The park says it can’t afford to feed or relocate the whales.
Marineland Sounds Alarm Over Beluga Survival
Niagara Falls’ Marineland has warned that its 30 beluga whales could be euthanized if emergency aid does not arrive soon. The park says it has run out of funds to feed and care for the animals and is appealing for government intervention. Marineland, closed to the public since 2024, argues that without federal assistance, it cannot maintain proper welfare standards for its marine mammals.
Governments Trade Blame as Deadline Passes
A jurisdictional standoff has erupted between the Ontario and federal governments. Premier Doug Ford insists that Ottawa bears responsibility, noting that Fisheries and Oceans Canada controls permits for moving marine mammals. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, however, says animal welfare falls under provincial authority. As Marineland’s self-imposed deadline passed Tuesday, neither level of government announced a plan.
Ottawa Rejects Emergency Funding Plea
In a letter Monday night, Minister Thompson denied Marineland’s request for emergency federal funding. She said the federal government “will not be covering the park’s expenses” and criticized Marineland for failing to plan long-term care for animals raised in captivity. Thompson reiterated that animal welfare oversight belongs to the province and urged the park to present new, ethical relocation proposals.
Export Plan Blocked by Federal Law
Marineland previously sought permits to export the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Ottawa refused the request, citing Canada’s 2019 Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act, which bans exporting marine mammals for performance purposes. Thompson defended her decision, saying she would not authorize a move that “condemns the whales to another lifetime of captivity.”
History of Animal Deaths Raises Alarm
Since 2019, 20 whales — 19 belugas and one killer whale — have died at Marineland. The remaining belugas are kept in two pools, separated by sex. The park also houses dolphins, seals, sea lions, and several land mammals. With rides dismantled and the property up for sale since early 2023, the animals remain a key obstacle to Marineland’s closure or sale.
Activists Demand Immediate Intervention
Animal welfare organizations are calling for urgent government action. Erin Ryan, wildlife campaign manager with World Animal Protection Canada, condemned the situation, saying euthanasia “must never be used as a cost-saving measure.” The group is urging Ontario to seize the animals under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act and collaborate with experts to rehome them humanely. Activists have also called for renewed progress on a whale sanctuary project on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore.
What Comes Next for the Belugas
With no agreement between governments, the future of Marineland’s belugas remains uncertain. Ottawa maintains that Marineland must propose responsible relocation options, while Ontario has not announced any intervention plans. As public pressure mounts, the crisis underscores a broader question: who bears ultimate responsibility for Canada’s last captive belugas — and how soon will action be taken?
