TORONTO–Animal Justice is deeply disappointed that both levels of government have allowed the future of Marineland’s whales and dolphins to come down to a US-led emergency transfer plan instead of a suitable long-term retirement solution, where as many animals as possible can be sent to sanctuaries.
The organization is also calling on the federal government to clarify whether it will include permit conditions to prevent the whales from being bred by US aquariums. Allowing the whales to be bred runs contrary to the government’s own policy on when whale export will be allowed, and to Canadian law, which bans breeding.
“Years of inaction by both the federal and Ontario governments combined with Marineland’s own reprehensible neglect of these animals has led to this moment, which was in no way inevitable,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director at Animal Justice.
“This generation of whales must be the last generation to suffer in tanks. If the federal government approves their transport, it’s absolutely critical that these animals are protected from being subjected to breeding or forced to perform for entertainment—a requirement under Canadian law. If the whales are bred by US aquariums, Canada’s goal of ending whale captivity will be severely undermined as the offspring of the Marineland whales will be made to suffer the same miserable fate of their parents.”
Marineland profited for decades by keeping these animals in captivity, yet failed to set aside resources or develop a responsible plan for their future. Now millions will be spent on an emergency rescue of these sensitive, intelligent animals—money that would have provided ample funding to establish the planned Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia.
“Marineland purchased and bred whales and sits on what is likely one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Canada, estimated to be worth upwards of $500 million. Rather than use some of their fortune to help give as many of these animals the life they deserve, Marineland’s owners would rather see this shameful emergency rescue play out,” said Ms. Labchuk.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]