A beluga whale and a harbour seal have died at Marineland, the controversial animal park in Niagara Falls, Canada.
The deaths bring the total number of whales lost since 2019 to 20, including 19 belugas and one orca. Three seals have also died during this time.
The park remains closed and is up for sale, with no confirmed reopening plans. Around 30 beluga whales remain, making them the last captive whales in Canada. Activists and marine experts have called for the whales to be relocated to sanctuaries, but the process is complicated.
“MarineLand could’ve moved their animals a long time ago. They’re trying to sell them for top dollar rather than relocating to a better home – and the delay is killing the whales,” said Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer, adding that he’s working on a plan.
Since 2020, Marineland has received 33 compliance orders, mostly related to water quality, animal records, and enclosure conditions.
While Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services (AWS) has the legal power to remove animals from Marineland, there are currently no suitable facilities in Canada to house even one beluga whale, let alone 30.
The federal government’s 2019 ban on whale and dolphin captivity also blocks the import and export of these animals, unless it’s for scientific research or in the animal’s best interest.
In 2021, Marineland transferred five belugas to the Mystic Aquarium in the United States. Three of them died, raising serious concerns about the safety of relocating these animals.
Government involvement has grown. Ontario took over animal cruelty enforcement in 2020, and inspectors have conducted over 200 checks at Marineland. Four long-standing orders remain, focusing on water system repair, record-keeping, and animal care.
