TORONTO – Kristy Burgess, a former beluga trainer at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has publicly criticized the park's deteriorating conditions and called for the immediate relocation of its remaining belugas. Burgess, who was an employee when a young beluga was euthanized earlier this year, described Marineland's threat to euthanize its 30 belugas if it does not receive emergency funding as a “repulsive” tactic that manipulates the whales for financial leverage.
Burgess is speaking out for the first time as the situation for the park's belugas grows dire. Since 2019, nineteen belugas, one dolphin, and one killer whale have died at Marineland, as documented by a database created by The Canadian Press from internal documents and official statements.
According to Burgess, the conditions of the belugas’ pools—Arctic Cove and Friendship Cove—are alarming. She reported that they are in urgent need of repair, with peeling paint and chunks of concrete falling into the water. “Whales have come in with paint chips on their tongues,” she noted, highlighting the hazards posed by the infrastructure's decay. Additionally, she detailed instances where caregivers had to dive into the water to remove heavy rocks that had crumbled into the tanks.
Furthermore, Burgess raised concerns about the park’s inadequate water system, which regularly breaks down, hindering essential medical treatments for the whales. This has led to delays in administering care, putting the animals' health at risk.
Marineland has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding Burgess’s allegations. Once a popular tourist destination, the park is now facing a crisis exacerbated by the federal government's denial of export permits for its belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Marineland claims it is nearing financial ruin and lacks viable options to rehome the whales.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied the export request, prioritizing the well-being of the belugas based on a federal law enacted in 2019 that restricts captivity. In response, Marineland has appealed for emergency funds to sustain the animals, asserting that without assistance, euthanasia of the belugas may become necessary.
Burgess argues that moving the whales to China should be reconsidered, suggesting that even if the outcome is uncertain, it is better than leaving them in Marineland’s current distressing environment. She emphasized that Marineland's ultimatum to euthanize the whales feels more like a financial maneuver than a necessity regarding animal welfare.
Despite the dire circumstances, Thompson’s office has stated that solutions lie within Marineland's responsibilities. The Ontario government has been under scrutiny for enforcing animal welfare laws, with over 220 inspections at the park resulting in 33 compliance orders. In 2021, the provincial government declared all marine mammals at Marineland in distress due to unsuitable water conditions.
Throughout her time at Marineland, Burgess witnessed a high turnover of staff due to the overwhelming workload. The short-staffing resulted in insufficient care for the belugas, with only 18 workers responsible for maintaining both pools. “It’s not even close to enough,” she lamented, noting that trainers effectively bore immense emotional strain from the frequent deaths of the animals they cared for.
Burgess shared individual stories of the belugas, emphasizing their personalities and the close bonds they form. However, she noted that new regulations limiting breeding have led to increased aggression among male belugas as they were separated from females, causing a detrimental shift in their social dynamics.
After the death of Eos, a juvenile beluga that Burgess had developed a strong bond with, she was terminated from her position shortly afterward. Despite her efforts in advocating for the whales and raising public awareness, Marineland has remained silent regarding the status of the remaining belugas since recent funding requests were made.
Burgess firmly believes that the crisis at Marineland is a result of poor management decisions rather than unavoidable circumstances. Her passionate advocacy aims to shed light on the urgent need for reform and humane treatment for the remaining belugas at the park.
