Animal Justice has filed yet another complaint with Animal Welfare Services (AWS), urging officials to take immediate action to protect belugas at Marineland. Drone footage taken in July and shared with Animal Justice by TideBreakers shows what appears to be another sick beluga whale isolated in a “hospital” tank, less than 6 months after the last known beluga death at Marineland. At least 18 belugas have died at Marineland since 2019, as well as one dolphin and Kiska, the lone orca held at the notorious roadside zoo.
The most recent footage was released mere weeks after Animal Justice submitted a legal complaint to AWS following drone footage showing belugas and dolphins confined in small tanks near loud demolition work at the facility. Marine mammal welfare experts concluded based on the footage that the noise, vibrations, and disruption from the demolition activity were likely causing the animals to experience fear and psychological suffering. As far as we are aware, AWS has done nothing to improve the situations for these helpless dolphins and belugas.
Animal Justice is deeply concerned about the well-being of the whale shown in the new footage, given that the isolation tank is even smaller than other tanks at the marine park and provides barely enough room for the animal to swim.
Hundreds of Inspections, Whales Still Suffering
Despite over 220 inspections by AWS since January 2020, it seems nothing has changed for the vulnerable whales and dolphins still kept captive at Marineland. The agency revealed that the vast majority of its visits are to test the quality of the water, which was known to be substandard and causing distress to the animals.
Belugas remain confined in small, barren enclosures and continue to die off one by one while authorities remain silent about what is causing their deaths. It does not appear that AWS has ever laid charges against Marineland for its treatment of whales and dolphins. Marineland’s only animal cruelty conviction was for its treatment of three young bears last year. Continuing to visit Marineland to test water quality is not enough to protect the animals held at this deteriorating facility, who are continuing to fall ill.
Animal Justice has urged AWS to use the tools available under the law to relieve the whales’ distress. AWS needs to take all necessary urgent steps it can under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act to make sure the animals at Marineland are adequately cared for and to send the bill for the cost of the animals’ care to Marineland.
Concerns Over Whale & Dolphin Transfers
The situation for the animals at Marineland has never been more dire, as Marineland is up for sale with plans to “expeditiously” remove its marine animals as soon as it can. Animal Justice has been partnering with other organizations to raise the alarm over the potential export of whales from Marineland to overseas facilities like Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, where animals could be used in entertainment and breeding programs, activities banned in Canada.
Without independent health assessments of the whales and dolphins set to be transferred, there is also a risk that sick animals could be forced to endure stressful transport, putting them at risk of serious illness and even death.
Please join us in calling on Animal Welfare Services to immediately take meaningful action to protect the animals at Marineland.
