Another beluga whale and seal have died at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario—adding to the already shocking death toll at the now-closed amusement park.
At least 19 belugas and three seals have now died at Marineland since 2019, as well as one dolphin, and multiple penguins and sea lions. These deaths continue to raise urgent questions about the conditions the surviving animals face inside the facility, which closed to the public earlier this year.
Dozens of Animals in Grave Danger
Marineland still holds 30 beluga whales captive —the last in Canada—along with four dolphins, two sea lions, two seals, and numerous deer, elk, and bears.
Troubling reports suggest Marineland is actively trying to sell its beluga whales overseas, where they may be forced into breeding programs or made to perform in shows—practices that Animal Justice helped Canada ban in 2019. One location allegedly under consideration is Chimelong park in China, which displays belugas and other animals, and holds regular beluga shows.
The federal government has yet to disclose whether export permits have been requested or approved. This secrecy leaves Canadians in the dark and puts the whales at risk of being shipped abroad with no safeguards for their welfare. In China, there are zero national animal protection laws and it would be extremely difficult for Canadian officials to ensure any whales transported to Chimelong would not be used for breeding or entertainment.
Canada Must Act to Protect Marineland’s Animals
Animal Justice is calling on the Canadian government to immediately step in to protect Marineland’s surviving animals. It must:
- Reject export permits that would allow whales to be shipped to facilities overseas where their well-being would not be protected.
- Ensure animals are relocated to reputable sanctuaries, such as the Whale Sanctuary Project under development in Nova Scotia.
- Provide transparency about the fate of these animals, instead of concealing critical information from the public.
These animals have already suffered enough. Together, let’s fight to protect them at Marineland and ensure they have a kinder future.
