Amusement park threatens to euthanize belugas after Canada blocks transfer

By Michael Lee Simpson

Drone footage has captured the conditions at a defunct amusement park, which threatens to euthanize 30 beluga whales.

Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, had asked to move the creatures to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in Zhuhai, China, after suffering years of animal welfare concerns and financial woes, reports say.

But their transfer was denied by the Canadian government last week, prompting the park to ask for federal funding, denied by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson who said it was "inappropriate."

Now Marineland has said it may have to put the belugas to sleep, according to CBC News, which reportedly obtained the information from a letter sent by the company to Thompson.

The threat has angered animal activist group and non-profit TideBreakers, who has now released footage of the tanks housing the whales.

"Threatening to kill the very animals that they cannot profit from is just another flaw of the industry," said TideBreakers co-founder Marketa Schusterova, 51, of Toronto.

Her anti-captivity organization has monitored Marineland for years.

"We believe the province of Ontario has the ability to step in and care for the whales," she added.

The park, which closed to the public after the 2024 season, once housed over 50 belugas when Schusterova's team began their investigations, she says.

Since Canada's Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act passed in 2019, more than 20 whales have died at the facility, along with Kiska, the last captive orca in Canada.

"She was named the loneliest orca in Canada as she lived in solitary for about 12 years," Schusterova said.

"She was 46 years old when she died of infection."

Now operated by lawyer Andrew Burns, Marineland has faced mounting criticism over animal welfare conditions.

"Under his leadership, it's been subject to a lot of controversy as he does not really have animal welfare in mind," Schusterova said.

"He treats these animals like assets he wants to profit from."

Schusterova says her organization has documented deteriorating conditions through extensive footage, revealing belugas confined in what she describes as "very tiny tanks" with poor water quality.

The facility also houses bears, dolphins, deer, and other animals whose fates remain uncertain.

The activist also expressed concern about potential transfers following a 2021 incident when five belugas were sold to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

Three of those whales died shortly after arrival, with USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) reports citing water quality failures and inadequate care.

"We have to watch where these animals potentially are going to be moved to because not every facility can offer them the care they need," Schusterova said.

Kathleen Rogers, president of EARTHDAY.ORG, said: "Suddenly we are fighting now on so many fronts, as country after country rightly bans the abuse of marine mammals. But where do they go once these parks close?

"The crassness of this demand for money by the whale's owners, after profiting off them for years, or they will execute this sentient family of belugas, reaches a new low for humanity"

She added: "All of the animal rights laws of Canada, civil and criminal, should be on the table."

"We must wake up to the reality that we need real whale and dolphin sanctuaries, with staff who know how to rehabilitate these poor creatures and give them a better life.

"We cannot look away and let them be killed. It would be a stain on us all."

While Schusterova's organization advocates for seaside sanctuaries as the ideal solution, none currently exist worldwide for beluga whales.

The situation has created an urgent crisis requiring immediate government intervention, according to Schusterova.

She believes Ontario could use provisions to step in and finance the animals' care, then recover costs after Marineland's property is sold.

"Marineland is sitting on prime real estate, and they are not poor," she said. "They will get the money after the park is sold."

As the standoff continues, the fate of 30 beluga whales hangs in the balance, with Marineland maintaining its threat to euthanize the animals without government assistance.

"Intervention needs to happen immediately," Schusterova said.

"The government has the power to even confiscate them if proper care cannot be offered, and euthanasia is just not an option."