Canada aquarium that threatened to kill its whales wants to sell them to US

"Marineland, the Canadian amusement park and aquarium which has threatened to kill its captive whales, wants government approval to sell the belugas to the United States after its China export proposal was rejected, according to an official and a former trainer. The former tourist attraction near the famed Niagara Falls has been mired in controversy for years. Twenty animals, including 19 belugas, have died at the park since 2019, according to a tally by the Canadian Press."

"Marineland, which is closed to visitors and wants to sell off its land, shocked the public last year after its China proposal was rejected saying that it was running out of resources to care for its 30 whales and might euthanize them. A fisheries ministry spokesperson, Ira Khedkar, told AFP in a statement on Thursday that Marineland representatives met with the government on Wednesday. The minister [Joanne Thompson] was presented with new export permit applications."

"The minister will review them expeditiously, Khedkar said. Phil Demers, a former trainer turned whistleblower at the reportedly bankrupt Marineland, told AFP the park wants to sell the belugas to several institutions in the United States. The Canadian Press also reported on Thursday that Marineland wants to sell the animals to a series of US parks. Marineland did not immediately reply to a query about a CP report that the park has prepared a euthanasia plan."

Marineland is pursuing government permission to export its beluga whales to the United States following rejection of a China export proposal. The park has experienced at least 20 animal deaths, including 19 belugas, since 2019. Marineland remains closed to visitors, aims to sell off its land, and previously warned it might euthanize whales if export options failed. Government officials met with Marineland representatives and received new export permit applications for expedited review. A former trainer said Marineland intends to sell belugas to several U.S. institutions and parks. Ontario animal welfare officials have investigated the park for five years.

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