Thirty belugas in Canada face being euthanised. Can they be saved?
Original story by: BBC News
Last updated: Oct 11, 2025
Ad
- Context: Marineland, a long-standing Canadian tourist attraction near Niagara Falls, is facing significant scrutiny due to documented animal mistreatment and financial instability. The park is seeking to sell 30 beluga whales to China, but has been denied permits and now threatens to euthanize the animals if no solution is found. This situation has prompted calls for government intervention and advocates are searching for alternatives to save the whales.
Ad
Ad
- Detailed Summary:
- Marineland, established in 1961, has a history of animal care concerns, including investigations by Ontario's Animal Welfare Services revealing marine life in distress due to poor water quality.
- In 2020, the park was found guilty of animal cruelty concerning three black bears kept in inadequate conditions.
- Since 2019, twenty whales, including 19 belugas, have died at the park, with Marineland attributing these deaths to natural causes.
- The park's financial struggles are severe, with attendance declining and its spring opening delayed, leading to speculation of inevitable bankruptcy.
- Marineland applied for federal permission to sell 30 beluga whales to a theme park in Zhuhai, China, but this was denied due to concerns about substandard treatment and public entertainment.
- Following the permit denial, Marineland informed the government it might have to euthanize the whales, a threat met with criticism from the federal government, which stated it is not responsible for the park's lack of planning.
- Advocates and experts are exploring options, but there is disagreement on the best course of action.
- Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer and vocal critic, believes the best outcome is for the whales to be removed from the park quickly, suggesting a coalition of US facilities as a potential alternative if China is not an option.
- Some advocate for the provincial government to seize the whales under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act due to the animals' distress.
- The Whale and Dolphin Conservation has requested Premier Doug Ford to commission independent veterinary assessments and is proposing a sanctuary in Nova Scotia, though this facility will not be ready until next summer and has limited capacity.
- The current status of the whales remains uncertain, and Marineland has not commented on the situation.
Ad
Ad