Marineland has applied to Canadian authorities for permission to export its beluga whales to institutions in the United States after a planned transfer to China was blocked. The attraction, closed to visitors and reportedly facing bankruptcy, has seen 20 animal deaths since 2019, including 19 belugas, and says it may be forced to euthanize animals if buyers cannot be found. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson will review new export permit applications, while Ontario animal welfare officials continue a multi-year investigation into park conditions.
Marineland Seeks Canadian Approval To Export Belugas To U.S. After China Bid Blocked; Euthanasia Plan Reported
A view from outside the now-closed Marineland theme park (Daphné LEMELIN)(Daphné LEMELIN/AFP/AFP)
Canada's Marineland — a long-troubled tourist attraction near Niagara Falls that is closed to visitors and reportedly facing bankruptcy — has asked federal authorities for permission to export its beluga whales to institutions in the United States after a proposed sale to China was rejected, officials and a former trainer said Thursday.
Background and Latest Developments
Marineland representatives met with officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on Wednesday to present new export permit applications, a ministry spokesperson confirmed. The park has repeatedly said it is running out of resources to care for its whales and that it plans to sell its land.
"The Minister (Joanne Thompson) was presented with new export permit applications. The Minister will review them expeditiously," the ministry spokesperson Ira Khedkar told AFP.
Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer and whistleblower, told AFP the park is seeking buyers among several U.S. marine parks and institutions. The Canadian Press also reported that Marineland has approached multiple U.S. facilities.
Deaths, Investigations and Euthanasia Report
Since 2019, Marineland has recorded 20 animal deaths, including 19 belugas, according to a tally by The Canadian Press. Marineland maintains that those deaths were from natural causes. Meanwhile, Ontario animal welfare officials have been investigating the park's conditions for about five years.
After a 2025 application to transfer the whales to China’s Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was denied by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson on grounds that the move would have perpetuated the animals' exploitation, Marineland told the public it could be forced to euthanize its whales if it could not find buyers. Marineland did not immediately respond to requests about a reported euthanasia plan tied to its latest U.S. export proposal.
What Comes Next
The Fisheries Minister will review the new export permit applications. If the permits are approved, some belugas could be moved to U.S. institutions; if they are denied, reports indicate Marineland may consider euthanasia, a move that has prompted strong public concern and scrutiny from animal welfare groups.
Key actors: Marineland management; former trainer and whistleblower Phil Demers; Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson; Ontario animal welfare investigators.
Note: This article is based on reporting from AFP and The Canadian Press; Marineland had not provided an immediate response to queries about the euthanasia report at the time of publication.
Help us improve.
