🔗 Share this article

The Niagara Falls attraction has issued a warning to humanely kill 30 beluga whales if the national authorities does not provide economic assistance for the struggling amusement park. This ultimatum follows the blocking action by the country’s fisheries minister to block the export of the captive whales to a theme park in China.

Growing Criticism and Operational Downturn

The Ontario facility, an entertainment venue that also houses a zoo, aquarium and forest, has endured mounting scrutiny over claims that the animals are kept in poor conditions. The once-popular park, which did not open for the summer season, is phasing out its operations ahead of a ownership transfer. Earlier this year, legal representatives for the park stated plans to quickly relocate the surviving creatures from the premises.

Critical Issue for Animal Welfare Advocates

The future of the park’s cetaceans has long been a urgent concern for activists who argue the whales should be moved to a sanctuary—though few feasible choices exist. Records compiled by Canadian Press indicate that 19 belugas and one orca have perished at the park since 2019.

“To approve the request would have signified a continued life in captivity and a resumption of performing,” she stated.

Financial Crisis and Looming Cutoff

In an October 3rd communication, Marineland warned that the financially distressed park is in a “critical financial state” and does not have the means to “ensure proper welfare for the whales.” The company stated that if the federal government cannot fund the park or authorize the whales’ transfer by the specified date, Marineland will “face the heartbreaking choice” of euthanizing one of the world’s largest captive whale populations.

“The gravity of the funding crisis at Marineland cannot be overstated; any additional postponement endangers the well-being and safety of the whales, and we are concerned we are running out of time to act,” the document says.

Official Reactions and Provincial Authority

The provincial leader, the official, announced the province will “do whatever it takes” to give the remaining whales the “optimal living conditions,” noting the state of the park was “extremely dire.”

Under provincial law, Ontario has the authority to take custody of the whales to protect their welfare—recovering any costs incurred when the park is transferred.

Moral Obligation and Advocate Comments

“Marineland has spent decades earning revenue from keeping whales in poor enclosures, and is now sitting on vast amounts of valuable real estate in Niagara Falls. Marineland has a moral obligation to finance the future care of these animals,” Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director of an advocacy group, said in a release.

“The situation hasn’t emerged suddenly,” Labchuk added. “It’s the result of decades of neglect and mistreatment. Marineland’s attempt to strong-arm the government into changing its stance, even implying it may euthanize the whales, is unacceptable.”

Facility’s Position on Animal Care

Marineland previously asserted the whales “are given superior medical attention and constant monitoring than any person in the UK, or anywhere else,” and that the park, which was inspected “dozens” of times a year, had specialists who “care for the animals when they are sick and every attempt to preserve their lives is made.”

The park additionally stated that for decades, “animal rights activists have attempted to link any creature’s demise with claimed mistreatment by the facility caring for the animals” which was “effective as promotional material” for those organizations to fundraise.