Another beluga whale has tragically died at Marineland, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and this marks the fourth beluga death within the last year. This incident adds to the alarming trend of marine mammal fatalities at the park, as records indicate the deaths of 16 beluga whales and one killer whale since 2019. The situation becomes even more unsettling considering the fact three out of the five belugas sold to Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut, have also died since being transferred there.
Marineland is currently the only facility in Canada holding whales under captivity. The Ontario government has been involved with the park since 2020, when Animal Welfare Services initiated an investigation due to concerns about the living conditions and treatment of the marine mammals housed there. The following year, the province acknowledged the distress of all marine mammals at Marineland as resulting from poor water quality, which led to orders for the park to rectify the grave situation. Interestingly, Marineland chose to appeal this decision, asserting there was no distress among the animals but later dropped the appeal.
Currently, the progress of the investigation remains shrouded in ambiguity, with little information circulating about any specific actions taken by the province. This lack of transparency has spurred criticism among opposition politicians and animal welfare advocates alike. Wayne Gates, the New Democrat representative for Niagara Falls, expressed frustration at the situation, stating, "It’s awful these animals are dying at Marineland, but the public has a right to know what’s going on there." He voiced the need for the solicitor general to engage proactively with stakeholders about animal protection initiatives.
Even fellow lawmaker John Fraser, parliamentary leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, has voiced concerns, stating, "The government is making claims they’re visiting frequently, but they’re not sharing what they’re doing and the whales keep dying. What do they have to hide?" This sentiment reflects the growing unease among various members of the public who feel kept in the dark amid rising numbers of aquatic mammal fatalities.
According to Hunter Kell, spokesperson for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Animal Welfare Services officials have conducted over 200 inspections at Marineland, signaling their commitment to ensuring animal welfare. Despite this, specific details about what these inspections have entailed, what actions were taken during these visits, and whether any orders led to concrete outcomes have not been disclosed.
Marineland has consistently defended its practices and assured the public of its commitment to the well-being of its animals. Its official website touts the park’s "strong record" of care and commitment to prioritizing the health of its marine inhabitants. Despite their claims, details surrounding the recent death of the beluga remain scarce, with the Ministry of the Solicitor General only confirming the date of death — July — and mentioning two Magellanic penguins also died on site during August.
For questions about the beluga's cause of death, the ministry directed inquiries back to Marineland. Unfortunately, Marineland has not responded to multiple requests for comments on this latest incident or any broader inquiries related to the welfare of animals at the facility. Brent Ross, the ministry spokesperson, mentioned concerns over future public disclosures, including the province's chief animal welfare inspector, Melanie Milczynski, who declined interview requests. Notably, she is already the fourth chief inspector since the Animal Welfare Services commenced operations.
Efforts to access additional information through the freedom-of-information process have met various roadblocks. For example, when The Canadian Press sought access to inspection reports and orders issued to Marineland, as well as details of the water condition at the park, the request was wholly denied less than two weeks after submission. The government cited several exemptions stating the requested details could interfere with law enforcement and were also subject to solicitor-client privilege. Notably, the decision was eventually appealed by the Canadian Press after being denied.
Subsequent negotiations for information release yielded mixed results, and attempts to mediate conflicts over transparency between Marineland and the Ontario government have yet to conclude satisfactorily, meaning the public waits months or possibly longer for resolutions. Recent reports have noted Marineland’s owner, Marie Holer, passed away, and her death raises even more questions about the facility’s future and the care of its inhabitants. The park has been listed for sale for over a year now, with operators unable to clarify plans for their animals should the park change ownership.
This year, Marineland received heavy scrutiny as it managed visitor operations for just two months, unlike its usual schedule from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. Staff confirmed only some attractions were open to guests, with few animals visible. A Canadian Press team visiting the facility over the summer noted 37 belugas were on site, but staff later barred them from reentering the property.
Compounding concerns raised by various animal rights advocates, drone footage captured by UrgentSeas, co-founded by Phil Demers — a former trainer at Marineland — revealed only 33 belugas visible as of mid-September. The group has consistently underscored the urgent need for enhanced investigations surrounding these alarming animal casualties. Demers expressed strong discontent with the current situation by stating, "Marineland has normalized dead whales. What concerns me is when you normalize things like this, people become apathetic, and the government is guilty of it too. "
The local community has expressed apprehension and disappointment as they call for greater accountability. The ethics surrounding the captivity of these marine mammals, paired with recent fatalities, has stirred public outcry against marine parks. Marine mammal advocates are hopeful this tragedy will catalyze broader discussions concerning animal welfare and transparency required from facilities like Marineland.
Officials are currently under pressure to address public concern, drawing attention to the growing negative perceptions surrounding captivity as more people embrace wildlife and marine life conservation. Experts and advocates implore the need for stringent safety and welfare regulations within facilities housing such intelligent and complex creatures.
This report encapsulates the situation up until October 9, 2024, marking another chapter of concern for Marineland, as observers remain uncertain about possible long-term solutions to protect marine life at this tourist attraction.
