Canada’s federal government has given the green light to relocate the final group of captive marine mammals from a closed Ontario theme park to facilities in the United States and Spain, potentially preventing the animals from being euthanized.
Thirty-four marine mammals remain at the former Marineland attraction in Niagara Falls, Ontario — consisting of 30 beluga whales and four dolphins. The park was listed for sale in early 2023 and shut its doors to visitors during late summer 2024, though no buyer has been announced.
Since closing, the former entertainment venue has been working to relocate its remaining animal population while attempting to sell the extensive grounds located near Horseshoe Falls.
In 2024, Marineland faced conviction under Ontario’s animal cruelty statutes in connection with the treatment of three black bears.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has approved initial permits for the whale transfer and plans to issue additional authorization documents as the relocation approaches in the coming months. Recent permits were granted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES permits.
“I think this is a positive step forward,” said Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson. “There’s still more work to be done, but it’s a step forward.”
Since 2019, twenty marine mammals have perished at Marineland — including 19 beluga whales and one killer whale — based on provincial records obtained through freedom-of-information requests and official announcements.
Thompson’s department stated it is working alongside the Canada Border Services Agency, Health Canada and other government branches to “ensure all requirements are met for a safe and timely transfer.”
The park stated it remains “fully committed to the safe and timely relocation of our beluga whales, and we want to be clear: this is our top priority.”
“Relocating these animals is an extraordinarily complex undertaking,” the facility said in its statement.
Officials have not determined whether taxpayer funding will support the whale relocation effort.
The marine mammals are destined for five different facilities: Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, SeaWorld locations in San Antonio and San Diego, and Oceanografic Valencia.
Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, which received five beluga whales from Marineland in 2021, will assist with the current transfer, according to the American consortium.
John Holer, who founded Marineland, passed away in 2018. His widow, Marie Holer, assumed control of park operations and listed it for sale in 2023 before her death in 2024.
The estate has been working to dismantle the attraction, which included roller-coasters and various amusement rides.
