Canadian marine park threatens to kill 30 beluga whales if funding refused

Marineland, at Niagara Falls, has been at the centre of controversy for years over allegations of animal abuse. Photo / Steve Russell

A Canadian marine park is threatening to euthanise 30 captive beluga whales unless the Government grants it an immediate cash injection.

Marineland, which closed to the public last year, claims it has no choice but to kill the whales now that Canada’s Fisheries Ministry has refused emergency funding. It says it can no longer care for its remaining animals, the New York Times reports.

The aquatic park at Niagara Falls said the fate of the beluga whales would be “a direct consequence of the minister’s decision”.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson emphatically rejected Marineland’s demands in her response.

“The fact that Marineland has not planned for a viable alternative, despite raising these whales in captivity for many years, does not place the onus on the Canadian Government to cover your expenses.”

The attraction previously tried to offload the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a zoo and aquarium in Zhuhai, China.

Thompson barred the transfer because she “could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured”.

Her decision was informed by the 2019 “Free Willy” bill, which regulated aquatic animal exploitation, banning whale captivity at aquariums and water parks.

Marineland has been in dire need of financial assistance since the legislation came into force, facing increasing pressure from animal activists and declining visitor numbers.

According to Species Unite, in August last year, the park was fined for the poor conditions in which three black bears were kept, and it was confirmed in November that five whales died last year.

Melissa Matlow, an adviser at World Animal Protection, told the New York Times that “threatening to kill all their animals if they don’t get emergency funding is just repugnant”.

“We need to take comfort that this is the last generation of whales and dolphins that will ever have to suffer again in Canada.”