NIAGARA FALLS—Animal Justice has filed a legal complaint with Animal Welfare Services (AWS) after new footage at Marineland, released by Tidebreakers, showed belugas circling inside small, barren tanks and at least one beluga in isolation due to apparent illness. The isolation tank provides barely enough room for the whale to swim and suggests that at least one more beluga at the notorious facility has fallen ill. Since 2019, approximately 18 belugas, one dolphin, and Kiska the orca have died at Marineland.
After accumulating and breeding dozens of whales and dolphins throughout decades of operation, Marineland is now closed to the public and in the process of selling off its assets. Drone footage released last month showed dolphins and belugas confined in small tanks next to the active demolition of Marineland’s stage tank. At the time, Animal Justice submitted a complaint to AWS based on marine mammal welfare experts’ opinion that the noise, vibrations, and disruption from the demolition activity were likely causing the animals to experience fear and psychological suffering.
In the most recent complaint, Animal Justice has asked yet again for AWS to take urgent steps to independently assess the health of the cetaceans who remain at Marineland, and improve their living conditions in order to protect their health and well-being.
AWS has inspected Marineland over 220 times since January 2020 and tested water quality in tanks, but Ontario’s Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act also empowers AWS to provide needed care to animals in distress and require the animals’ owner to cover the costs.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that belugas are dying off one by one despite years of continued investigation by Animal Welfare Services. These iconic animals deserve better,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director at Animal Justice. “We are calling on AWS to urgently relieve the whales’ and dolphins’ distress by providing veterinary care, improving their living conditions, and then sending Marineland the bill.”
Despite widespread public concern about animal suffering at Marineland, and a history of animal welfare problems, AWS has never laid charges against the facility for its treatment of whales and dolphins. The notorious roadside zoo’s only conviction under Ontario’s animal welfare laws came last year for its treatment of three young bears.
Animal Justice also remains deeply concerned about 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. The group is calling for greater transparency from Fisheries and Oceans Canada about any potential exports, and for as many animals as possible to be sent to sanctuaries or facilities where their health and well-being will be improved.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manger
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]