Canadian marine park threatens to euthanize 30 whales if government does not provide funding

"Marineland has threatened to euthanize 30 beluga whales if Canada's federal government does not provide financial support for the embattled Niagara Falls amusement park. Marineland, an amusement park, zoo, aquarium and forest occupying nearly 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of land in Ontario, has endured mounting scrutiny over allegations the animals are living in poor conditions. The park, which once saw millions of visitors, did not open for the summer season and is winding down its operations in anticipation of a sale."

"Marineland says it had planned to send the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, but Joanne Thompson, Canada's fisheries minister, blocked the export permit last week, saying she could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured. Thompson added: To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment."

"In a letter from 3 October, Marineland warned the debt-ridden park is in a a critical financial state and does not have the resources to provide adequate care for the whales. The company said that if the federal government is unable to fund the park or authorize the whales' export by 7 October, Marineland will face the devastating decision of euthanizing one of the world's largest captive whale populations."

Marineland has threatened to euthanize 30 beluga whales if the federal government does not provide financial support or authorize their export by an early October deadline. Fisheries minister Joanne Thompson blocked an export permit for a planned transfer to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, citing unwillingness to approve a move that would perpetuate the belugas' treatment and return them to public entertainment. The Niagara Falls park occupies nearly 1,000 acres, did not open for the summer, is winding down operations, and is debt-ridden. Activists call for sanctuary transfers but few viable options exist. Twenty cetaceans have died at the park since 2019.

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