Marineland’s funding plea puts beluga welfare in the spotlight
Marineland, the Niagara Falls amusement facility that has struggled financially for years, says it is rapidly running out of money and urgently needs federal assistance or permission to export its remaining belugas. In a letter dated Friday and addressed to Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, the park warns that without support it will face a difficult, and potentially irreversible, decision about the 30 belugas still in its care.
The request comes on the heels of Thompson’s denial of Marineland’s export-permit application, which would have allowed the whales to be relocated to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Thompson has publicly stated she does not want belugas kept in captivity or used for entertainment purposes, and she notes that she did not see a viable option to safely house the animals elsewhere in Canada or abroad.
Marineland’s letter to the minister frames the situation as a race against time. It describes the facility as being in a “critical financial state” and “fully indebted,” claiming it lacks the resources needed to provide adequate care for the whales. The park warns that without funding or export authorization by Oct. 7, it will be left with no choice but to euthanize the animals rather than allow them to suffer in precarious conditions.
“The gravity of the funding crisis at Marineland cannot be overstated; any further delay jeopardizes the welfare and security of the whales, and we fear we are running out of time to act,” the letter states, signaling that the decision about euthanasia would likely follow the minister’s decision on export permits.
What Marineland is asking for
The central ask is twofold: an immediate federal funding package to stabilize operations and ongoing support to maintain the belugas in captivity with adequate care, and a decision on whether export could be authorized as a humane alternative. Marineland asserts that without either option, there is no future-ready solution for its 30 captive belugas, all of whom were born in captivity and have spent their lives within the park’s confines.
Why the minister’s stance complicates the rescue option
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson has repeatedly indicated that the government’s stance is against keeping belugas in captivity or using them for entertainment. She has also suggested that there is no existing, publicly recognized sanctuary capable of housing such a large group of belugas and that sending them to a facility abroad could still raise welfare concerns. In her recent discussions, she cited her visit to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and her belief that the whales belong in the ocean, rather than in captivity, a position that complicates Marineland’s export petition.
Search for a path forward amid ethical and logistical hurdles
The debate over the fate of the belugas sits at the intersection of animal welfare, economics, and public policy. Critics argue that relying on a failing private facility for decades raises questions about long-term welfare and accountability, while supporters stress the ethical imperative to retire animals from entertainment venues whenever possible. The absence of a recognized, oceanic sanctuary capable of accommodating 30 belugas adds another layer of complexity to any potential care plan or relocation scheme.
What happens next
With the Oct. 7 deadline looming, Marineland says it needs a timely decision from the federal government. If funding does not materialize or export approval is not granted, the park warns that euthanasia could become the “direct consequence” of the minister’s decision, effectively ending the belugas’ remaining years in human care. The federal government has not yet announced a funded contingency or an alternative arrangement, leaving observers to weigh the ethics and feasibility of pursuing any option under current constraints.
Looking ahead
The situation at Marineland underscores broader questions about the role of large private facilities in wildlife care, the responsibilities of government toward animal welfare, and the availability of credible alternatives when relocation outside Canadian borders is not feasible. As Ottawa weighs its options, Canadians watch closely to see whether a funding solution can be found that respects welfare considerations while balancing practical realities.
