Marineland initiates relocation of a third set of whales to aquariums outside Canada. A specialized team at the closed Niagara Falls tourist attraction is carefully transferring six beluga whales into a custom sling before lifting them into tanks. Subsequently, a convoy escorted by police will transport the whales – two males and four females – to Toronto’s Pearson airport for air transport to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
The closure of Marineland to the public in 2024 led to the decision to sell the park and its extensive property due to financial constraints affecting the care of the remaining whales. Prior to the recent transfers to the United States, the park housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive cetaceans in Canada.
In July, the initial relocation saw six belugas moved to Shedd and SeaWorld in San Antonio, followed by an additional seven belugas transferred to the San Antonio facility. Described by Marineland as an “unprecedented” operation, this move is crucial for the survival of the whales.
Originally planning to sell all 30 belugas to a Chinese aquarium, a government intervention halted the sale, prompting Marineland to threaten euthanasia without emergency funding. Subsequently, a partnership with American and Spanish aquariums facilitated the ongoing transfers, with SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain slated to receive some of the marine mammals.
In the event the current transfers do not proceed, euthanasia remains a stark possibility. Following the recent relocation, 11 belugas and four dolphins will remain at Marineland, with the park aiming to complete all whale relocations by the end of the month.