14 whales and a dolphin have died since 2019 at Marineland, an aquarium, zoo and theme park in Canada’s Niagara Falls, according to a new exposé by the Canadian Press.
13 of the 15 marine animals that died were beluga whales, another was Kiska, the park’s only orca, and another was a dolphin.
Since January 2020, inspectors from Ontario’s provincial animal welfare services have been to the park 160 times. The province said all of Marineland’s marine mammals were under distress.
In 2021, the province told the attraction to improve its water quality, an order appealed by Marineland, which denied any link between the beluga deaths and the condition of their water.
13 belugas, one orca and one dolphin have died
The Canadian Press published its findings on Thursday (24 August) after receiving documents via access to information requests.
There are currently 37 belugas at Marineland. Four years ago, there were 54 belugas – the most in captivity in the world – according to an affidavit filed by Marineland’s president, Marie Holer, with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Wayne Gates, the New Democrat provincial representative for Niagara Falls, told the Canadian Press: “The time has come to repurpose Marineland for new opportunities.”
“We have a strong record of providing for the welfare of our animals and will continue to prioritize their health and wellbeing as a central focus of our mission,” says a statement signed by Holer on the Marineland website.
Animal rights activists have long been fighting to shut down the Canadian theme park. Earlier this year, the province charged Marineland over its handling of American black bears in captivity.
In December 2021, Marineland was charged under the Criminal Code for allegedly using dolphins and whales for entertainment purposes without authorisation.
Elsewhere, an orca named Lolita held captive for over 50 years at the Miami Seaquarium has died just as plans were progressing to release the killer whale to her home waters.
Images courtesy of Marineland
