TORONTO—Animal Justice is calling for prompt action and accountability following the news of yet another whale death at Marineland. As reported by the Canadian Press, a fourth beluga whale has died this year, with provincial records showing 16 beluga deaths and one killer whale death since 2019.
“It is deeply saddening that the many beluga whales still believed to be trapped at Marineland are being left to die one by one. These highly intelligent, social animals are suffering, and it’s long past time for Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services to step in and put an end to this tragic cycle of neglect and death,” said lawyer and Animal Justice executive director Camille Labchuk.
“With Marineland reportedly up for sale and no clear plan for the care of the animals still stuck there, authorities and the government need to take decisive action and end the neglect before more lives are lost,” Ms. Labchuk said.
Earlier this year, Marineland was sentenced following a conviction under Ontario’s animal welfare laws for its neglect of three young bears formerly in its care. Remarkably, it was the first time the notorious roadside zoo and aquarium has faced legal consequences for animal welfare offences after decades of evading accountability for unlawful animal cruelty.
In 2016, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) charged Marineland with five counts of animal cruelty over the improper care of black bears, guinea hens, and a peacock. In 2017, the OSPCA laid six additional charges over the poor treatment of elk and deer. Shockingly, the Crown later dropped those charges.
In 2021, Marineland was criminally charged for illegally forcing dolphins to perform for entertainment, following a legal complaint by Animal Justice. Again, the charge was dropped by the prosecutor, who claimed that proceeding to trial was not in the “public interest.”
In 2021 and 2022, Animal Justice filed complaints with Animal Welfare Services (AWS) after videos showed Kiska, Marineland’s sole orca, in distress—floating aimlessly and slamming her body against the tank. Despite this, AWS has not pressed charges.
Kiska tragically died at Marineland in March 2023 after suffering for over 40 years in a tank, including more than a decade in solitary confinement.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]
