TORONTO – Marineland has presented a proposal to the Canadian federal government to relocate the last remaining captive whales and dolphins in Canada to various institutions in the United States. This plan has come to light as the theme park set a strict deadline for the issuance of export permits from Ottawa. If the permits are not granted promptly, Marineland threatens to euthanize 30 belugas and four dolphins, as confirmed by anonymous sources within the park.
Marineland issued a public statement detailing "a definitive and urgent rescue solution for the whales," which was presented directly to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. While the specifics of the plan remain undisclosed, Marineland emphasized the critical nature of immediate governmental action. The statement indicated that Thompson expressed her support for an urgent solution during the meeting, and her office stated they would expedite the review of the new permit applications.
Since closing to the public in late summer 2024, Marineland has continued to house numerous animals, including belugas, dolphins, seals, sea lions, bears, and deer. Sources indicate that Marineland has made arrangements to send these marine mammals to four major aquariums in the U.S.: SeaWorld, Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and Mystic Aquarium. Veterinarians from these institutions were reportedly at Marineland verifying the health of the animals in preparation for the potential move.
A crucial aspect of Marineland's plan is related to a real estate deal currently in the works, involving the sale of the park's land for residential and commercial development. The deal stipulates that all marine mammals must be relocated before the land sale can proceed. Since 2019, Marineland has faced significant losses, with the deaths of 20 whales—consisting of one killer whale and 19 belugas.
In 2023, Marineland's proposal to transfer its belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China was denied by Thompson, who ruled it was not in the best interest of the whales. Her decision was in accordance with the "Free Willy" bill passed in 2019, which outlawed whale and dolphin captivity in Canada with certain exceptions for scientific research. Although existing marine mammals were exempted from this law, the legislation curtailed breeding, performances, and trading, except where it serves the animals' welfare. However, Thompson had previously deemed the situation of Marineland's whales not beneficial enough for relocation.
Following her denial of Marineland's previous proposal, the park expressed financial distress and called for immediate operating funds from the federal government. The urgency of their situation intensified when Marineland warned it would begin euthanizing the belugas if no assistance was provided, which led to a significant public outcry and political backlash. Although the Ontario Premier Doug Ford held the federal government accountable for the matter, Ottawa directed responsibility back to the provincial authorities.
Currently, all 30 belugas remain alive, although two males have required ongoing medical treatment. In mid-October, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, alongside its Canadian counterpart, pledged to assist in exploring alternatives to the euthanasia of these animals, stating that such discussions were unwarranted as long as the health of the belugas permitted rescue and transport.
Marineland’s latest plan to relocate the belugas involves what they refer to as a "rescue operation.” The implementation of this plan would lead to the separation of certain whales, while still aiming to maintain family units together. For some belugas, this could mean reuniting previously split family members as a result of compliance with Canada’s no-breeding law.
In 2021, Marineland successfully transferred five belugas to Mystic Aquarium under a smaller-scale relocation plan, although two of them died within a year, raising concerns about the health implications of such moves. Despite these past occurrences, Marineland remains focused on facilitating the relocation of its marine mammals as they await the federal government’s approval, which is critical for the future of these animals.
