Animal Justice, a national animal law advocacy organization, is urging the Canadian government to impose a condition on the permits allowing the majority of the 30 Marineland beluga whales in Niagara Falls, Ont., to be relocated to U.S. aquariums. The condition being proposed is that the whales should not be bred. This request comes on the same day when the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) greenlighted an emergency rescue operation for approximately 28 of the whales to be distributed among four U.S. aquariums, with two others slated for transport to a facility in Spain pending necessary permits.
Animal Justice emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the transported whales are not subjected to entertainment shows similar to those previously held at Marineland, where marine mammals like orcas, belugas, and dolphins used to perform tricks for audiences before such practices became unpopular. Marineland ceased public operations in 2024.
Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson’s office refrained from confirming whether measures would be in place to prevent breeding or entertainment use of the Marineland whales at their new destinations. However, the office did state that each whale must undergo a health assessment by a Canadian veterinarian as part of the export permit conditions.
The federal government’s policy stipulates that the destination facility for exported cetaceans should not engage in breeding or impregnating the animals. The four U.S. aquariums set to receive the belugas are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which involves rigorous evaluations of various operational aspects, including animal care, veterinary services, and staff training.
Camille Labchuk, executive director at Animal Justice, stresses the need for the protection of the whales from breeding and forced performances under Canadian law during their transport. Labchuk asserts that this generation of whales should be the last to endure captivity. The U.S. aquariums have assured that dedicated care staff will assess the whales’ well-being and ensure a smooth transition to their new environments.
Marineland expressed its acknowledgment of the inability to provide long-term care for the animals, stating that the rescue mission is in the best interest of the whales. The fate of the remaining deer and elk at Marineland remains uncertain, following earlier discussions about potential euthanasia. The completion of the whale shipments to the U.S. is expected to take several weeks after all necessary approvals are obtained.