Animal welfare activists strongly criticize Marineland’s ultimatum to euthanize the remaining 30 belugas at the closed amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, if the government does not provide funding for their care or approve their export by Tuesday.
World Animal Protection Canada urges the provincial government to step in and take custody of the belugas to prevent their demise. Erin Ryan, wildlife campaign manager at the organization, condemns Marineland’s actions as morally unjust, accusing the park of pressuring the Canadian government into making the right decision.
The organization emphasizes that euthanasia should only be considered based on independent veterinary evaluations that deem it necessary for the animals’ well-being, not as a cost-cutting measure.
Marineland, in a letter to federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, disclosed its dire financial situation and inability to afford proper care for the belugas. The company’s plea for financial assistance follows Thompson’s rejection of its export permit request to send the belugas to a Chinese theme park.
The ongoing funding crisis at Marineland poses a severe threat to the belugas’ welfare and safety, according to the company’s correspondence. Marineland warns that euthanizing the captive-born belugas would be a direct result of the government’s refusal to grant export permits.
Federal Fisheries Minister Thompson deems Marineland’s funding request inappropriate and stresses that the decision to deny export permits aligns with regulations aimed at preventing the exploitation of marine mammals. Thompson asserts that Marineland bears the responsibility for the belugas’ care, with the province playing a role in ensuring their well-being.
Notably, nineteen belugas have died at Marineland since 2019, and the park’s closure this year raises concerns about the future of the remaining animals, including the belugas. Animal advocates call for a collaborative effort between Marineland and the government to establish a whale sanctuary in Nova Scotia, although progress on the project seems stalled.
Legal experts and marine mammal researchers criticize Marineland’s threat to euthanize the belugas, with calls for immediate intervention to protect the animals. The denial of export permits is likened to a potential death sentence for the belugas, highlighting the urgent need for a solution to secure their well-being and future.
In light of the escalating crisis, stakeholders emphasize the importance of exploring all available options, including governmental intervention and relocation to suitable facilities, to ensure the belugas’ safety and prevent any irreversible harm to these captive marine mammals.