Marineland, the closed-down theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is facing a dire financial crisis and is seeking urgent financial aid from the federal government to avoid euthanizing its 30 beluga whales. The request for assistance was outlined in a letter addressed to Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson after the minister rejected Marineland’s plea for export permits.
The initial plan was to transfer the beluga whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. However, Minister Thompson opposed the idea, expressing a desire for the whales to be free in their natural habitat rather than being kept in captivity for entertainment purposes.
Marineland emphasized the lack of suitable facilities or ocean sanctuaries to accommodate the beluga whales. The letter highlighted the park’s precarious financial state, noting its inability to provide adequate care for the whales due to being heavily indebted and lacking resources.
Without financial aid or approval for whale export by October 7, Marineland warned of the possibility of having to euthanize the whales, attributing this potential outcome directly to the minister’s decision to withhold export permits. The cost of caring for the belugas is estimated at $2 million per month, with dwindling revenue since the park closed last year.
Moreover, the long-standing controversies surrounding Marineland, including opposition from animal rights activists and the impact of a 2019 federal law prohibiting the breeding and entertainment use of marine mammals in Canada, have further complicated the situation.
While Minister Thompson declined the export permits to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a government official indicated a willingness to consider other export requests meeting strict standards under the Fisheries Act. The official also criticized Marineland’s financial management post-legislation changes affecting captivity practices.
The provincial jurisdiction over animal welfare prompted discussions between the federal and Ontario governments regarding potential interventions under the PAWS Act. Premier Doug Ford expressed disappointment over the permit denial and emphasized the need for federal approval to ensure the whales’ survival.
World Animal Protection Canada condemned Marineland’s actions as morally reprehensible and called on Premier Ford to utilize the PAWS Act authority to intervene and safeguard the well-being of the beluga whales. The organization criticized Marineland’s behavior as manipulative and lacking ethical credibility.
