A total of seven beluga whales have been relocated from Marineland, a defunct amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to aquariums in the United States. The park has confirmed that the second phase of its relocation plan is underway, following the transfer of six belugas to aquariums in Chicago and San Antonio several weeks ago. The latest group of whales will also be heading to the same aquarium in San Antonio. This relocation effort is part of a larger plan to find new homes for the park's marine animals.
Marineland, which closed its doors in 2024, initially had 30 beluga whales and four dolphins in its care. The first group of whales was relocated in mid-July, marking the beginning of the park's efforts to find new homes for its animals. The park's closure was prompted by the deaths of its owners, and since then, it has been struggling to care for the remaining animals due to financial constraints. The park has stated that it is running out of money to provide adequate care for the whales, prompting concerns about their welfare and security.
Previous attempts to relocate the whales to a Chinese aquarium were met with opposition from animal rights activists, who raised concerns about the subpar conditions at the facility. The plan was ultimately rejected by the Ministry of Federal Fisheries. In a bid to secure funding, Marineland sent a letter to the federal government, warning that it would be forced to consider euthanasia if it did not receive financial assistance. The letter emphasized the gravity of the funding crisis and the potential consequences for the welfare and security of the whales.
The situation at Marineland has sparked outrage among animal rights activists, who have long accused the park of animal cruelty, negligence, and mistreatment of its marine mammals. Since 2019, 20 whales, including 19 belugas and one killer whale, have died at the park, along with a dolphin, penguins, and sea lions. The park still has several animals in its care, including dolphins, seals, bears, elk, and deer, whose fate remains uncertain.
