TORONTO—Today’s news that conditional federal permits have been granted to relocate Marineland’s whales and dolphins to four US aquariums marks another disappointing turn in the Niagara Falls theme park’s saga of abuse and neglect. Disturbingly, Marinelands had again threatened to kill the animals if the Fisheries Minister did not approve export permits on short order.
“Marineland made millions of dollars by keeping these whales and dolphins in tiny tanks. It has been obvious for years that public opinion has soured on aquariums and that Marineland would one day close, so it’s shocking that they didn’t bother to save a cent to give the whales the happier retirement they deserve,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director at Animal Justice. “Given Marineland’s appalling threat to execute the 30 belugas and four dolphins, the Minister had little choice but to offer these conditional approvals. However, we fully expect that the Minister will require individual health assessments for each whale and dolphin to determine whether they are healthy enough to be moved. It is also essential to ensure the whales will not be bred in the US—which is illegal in Canada. These animals must be the last generation to suffer in captivity.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking that due to Marineland’s complete lack of care, these whales may never get to experience life in a sanctuary, as Marineland has repeatedly refused to engage with the Whale Sanctuary Project in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, which could have provided many of the whales a chance to live out their lives in a 100-acre seaside sanctuary.”
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]