Canada has given Marineland conditional approval to transfer its 30 beluga whales to U.S. parks after rejecting a planned sale to China. Marineland says it is in deep financial distress and may have to euthanize animals if new homes are not found. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson granted conditional approval but said final permits depend on additional information from Marineland. The park, closed to visitors, has faced scrutiny after 20 animal deaths, including 19 belugas, since 2019.
Canada Grants Marineland Conditional Approval To Transfer 30 Beluga Whales To U.S. Parks
An aerial view of belugas at Canada's now-shuttered Marineland theme park (Daphné LEMELIN)(Daphné LEMELIN/AFP/AFP)
Canada's federal government on Monday granted Marineland conditional approval to transfer its 30 imperilled beluga whales to facilities in the United States, after rejecting a prior proposal to send them to China.
Marineland, once a profitable tourist attraction near Niagara Falls and now closed to visitors, says it is in severe financial distress and cannot afford ongoing care for the whales. The park has warned it may be forced to euthanize animals if suitable new homes are not found.
Last year Marineland had planned to sell the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China; Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson rejected that proposal, saying it would perpetuate the animals' exploitation. Marineland subsequently submitted a revised plan to transfer the 30 belugas to several U.S. parks.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson: "Today, I met with Marineland regarding their proposal to export the remaining whales to US facilities. I provided conditional approval."
Thompson said the approval is conditional and that final export permits will be issued only after Marineland provides additional information requested by officials and regulators complete their review.
The facility's record has prompted scrutiny: a tally by The Canadian Press reports 20 animal deaths, including 19 belugas, at Marineland since 2019. Marineland maintains the deaths were due to natural causes, while Ontario animal welfare authorities have been investigating the park for several years.
The government's conditional decision aims to address the urgency of finding new homes for the belugas while ensuring regulators receive the necessary information to evaluate welfare and compliance before any transfer proceeds.
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