Marineland’s Future in Doubt: Rising Death Toll Among Captive Belugas Sparks Outrage and Calls for Closure

Niagara Falls, Canada — Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the majestic Niagara Falls, Marineland of Canada spans nearly 1,000 acres as a hybrid of amusement park, zoo, aquarium, and forest. For years, it has attracted millions with its diverse array of marine and land animals, from orcas and belugas to walruses and dolphins. Yet, over recent years, the theme park has faced increased scrutiny due to a series of beluga whale deaths, raising significant concerns about animal welfare and sparking debates over the ethics of captivity.

Marineland proudly houses what is reported to be the world’s largest captive population of belugas. However, this distinction has turned troubling as more than 20 belugas and dolphins have perished since 2019, including five belugas last year alone. These troubling occurrences have ignited criticism from local politicians and activists alike. Marit Stiles, a prominent New Democrat, labeled the situation “disgraceful” and suggested the potential closure of the park if she ascends to the role of premier.

Amid these controversies, Marineland has maintained that the deaths are natural, a mere part of the “circle of life,” and avows that the animals are cared for diligently. This stance, however, is contradicted by former employees and a swathe of animal rights advocates. Phil Demers, a former senior trainer at Marineland, has voiced severe criticisms, suggesting that confining whales to small tanks is amongst the cruelest acts imaginable.

Public perception regarding marine parks has been shifting. In France, a similar park also named Marineland recently shuttered, reflecting a broader change in attitudes as visitor numbers dwindled from 1.2 million to 425,000 annually over the last decade. These trends are vindicating for activists who have fought for years against marine mammal captivity.

The focus intensified after the death of Kiska, Canada’s last captive orca, earlier this year. The spotlight remains on Marineland’s 31 remaining belugas, with activists like Demers pushing for their relocation. However, he notes a significant hurdle: “As it stands, there are no viable sanctuaries and nothing that’s realistically on the horizon.”

Investigations by Canadian media have often come up against roadblocks. Liam Casey, a reporter with the Canadian Press, reported encountering numerous challenges, including a lack of transparency from the governmental Animal Welfare Services (AWS), which complicates efforts to discern the exact cause of the high mortality rate among the whales.

In 2021, AWS found that all marine mammals at Marineland were in distress due to inadequate water quality. Although Marineland initially appealed this finding, it eventually upgraded its water systems to comply with regulations. In an unusual move, AWS’s head Melanie Milczynski, recently conveyed intentions to be more forthcoming about the agency’s activities to clarify ongoing misapprehensions about their operations.

Despite assurances from Marineland that their animals “receive far better healthcare and attention than any human in the UK or elsewhere,” activists counter that the deaths are symptomatic of broader issues within the facility. The park’s defenses often attribute death to natural causes, asserting that their interpretation gets misconstrued as propaganda by animal rights groups.

Adding to the uncertainty about Marineland’s future, recent federal and provincial laws in Canada have banned the sale, breeding, and captivity of new whales. This legislation, however, does not affect the whales currently residing in Marineland.

The park itself is navigating through a period of doubt, especially after the deaths of its founders, and reportedly is seeking new ownership. As laws tighten and public sentiment shifts, the future of Marineland—and the captive marine animals within it—hangs in a precarious balance.