Media Release
For Immediate Release
October 10, 2025
NIAGARA FALLS—Animal Justice has filed an urgent complaint with the Niagara Regional Police Service, calling on officers to investigate and take action to prevent Marineland from carrying out a threat to mass-kill all 30 surviving beluga whales. After the federal government refused to issue export permits to send the whales to a subpar aquarium in China where they would face further exploitation, Marineland threatened to “euthanize” the belugas unless the Minister of Fisheries reversed that decision or gave the defunct facility money.
The police complaint is accompanied by a letter sent yesterday to Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner by numerous leading global scientists and experts in marine mammal welfare. The scientists warn that killing belugas en masse would inflict significant distress on the whales, given their intelligence, strong social bonds, and sensitivity to disturbance within their pods.
The letter warns that euthanizing such large, healthy, and highly social animals will cause immense and unnecessary suffering—both to the whales being killed, and to their companions who would be forced to witness and experience extreme distress. “Marineland’s threat to kill these beluga whales is horrifying, and killing this many belugas at once, in close proximity to each other, could constitute unlawful animal cruelty,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “Authorities must step in now to ensure these animals are not subjected to unnecessary suffering or death. This is a clear case where preemptive law enforcement intervention is required.”
Even if the killing were attempted using the most “humane” methods available, experts caution that the process would likely involve severe stress and possible prolonged suffering. Due to belugas’ unique physiology, euthanizing them is a complex process that can take hours. As Dr. Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia, told the CBC, determining the correct drug dosages to kill healthy whales may involve “experimentation”—an unacceptable risk that could result in drawn-out deaths.
“The convenience killing of these majestic whales is not necessary, nor is it justified,” said Labchuk. “There are alternatives, including the whale sanctuary being developed in Nova Scotia and potential placements at other appropriate facilities. Marineland’s threats to kill these whales if it doesn’t get public cash is a new low.”
For years, Animal Justice has called on the government of Ontario to use its powers under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act to care for or seize the whales, evaluate their health, and improve their living conditions. Under the law, Ontario can recover the costs of immediate and future care for the belugas and other animals at Marineland, which can be recovered as a debt to the province after the property is sold.
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The scientist letter is here.
The police complaint is here.
Contact:
Camille Labchuk
[email protected]
