"The now-closed theme park and zoo said in a statement last week that the whales face possible euthanasia after Ottawa denied its applications to export them to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson expressed concern that approving the export request may set the whales up for being used for entertainment purposes. She said Wednesday she's completely open to looking at" other export requests and has been in touch with a provincial counterpart about possible solutions."
"While any applications for the export of whales fall under the purview of the federal government, animal welfare is legally the responsibility of the province. But Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he wants Thompson to reconsider her decision and help get the whales out of the country. Either they issue a permit and we end up finding a home for them, or they don't issue a permit and they can come up with a solution , Ford said on Tuesday."
"To release the belugas into the wild would amount to a death sentence, said Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia. If put into a setting they've never adapted to, they may get rejected by other animals and be looking at a life of starvation, loneliness. Another idea being pushed by some animal advocacy groups is establishing a seaside sanctuary where the belugas could live in a fenced-off area in the ocean."
Thirty belugas remain at the now-closed Marineland in Niagara Falls and face possible euthanasia after a federal denial to export them to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Federal authorities cited concerns that approval could lead to the whales being used for entertainment, while provincial authorities hold legal responsibility for animal welfare. Ontario's premier urged reconsideration to secure relocation. Experts warn that releasing the belugas into the wild would likely cause death due to lack of adaptation and social rejection. Advocates propose a seaside sanctuary model, though no such preserve exists in North America.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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