Marineland’s last captive whales head to U.S. aquariums

Six beluga whales from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, are set to depart Canada on Monday, marking the end of the country's era of captive whales. Two of the animals will travel to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while four will be sent to SeaWorld in San Antonio. This move signals the final departure of all belugas from Marineland, as the facility prepares to close and sell its property. Marineland, once a major tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, is facing financial difficulties and is no longer able to sustain its operations. According to Andrew Burns, Marineland’s adviser, there will be no beluga whales or any other type of whales in captivity in Canada following this shipment. Over the course of six relocation efforts, Marineland has transferred 30 belugas and four dolphins to five different aquariums around the world, representing the largest collective movement of captive whales in history. The park has previously sent some of its marine mammals to SeaWorld in San Diego, the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain. Despite these transfers, Marineland has struggled financially, particularly during the global pandemic, which severely impacted tourism and revenue. In early 2024, the park's owner, Marie Holer, who succeeded her husband John Holer after his death in 2018, put the park up for sale. She passed away in September of the same year. Since 2019, when Canada implemented a ban on keeping whales and dolphins in captivity, Marineland has faced increasing challenges. The law prohibited breeding and performances involving marine mammals, forcing the park to separate its male and female belugas. These restrictions significantly affected the park's ability to generate income through shows and breeding programs. Marineland's history dates back to 1961, when John Holer purchased land near Horseshoe Falls and began developing the park. Initially focused on traditional amusement rides, Holer expanded into showcasing marine mammals, including killer whales, belugas, and dolphins. The park became a major attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. However, the closure of the facility and the subsequent legal changes have led to a decline in its prominence. In recent years, Marineland has gradually relocated many of its animals. Several hundred deer still reside at the park, but other species, such as bison and penguins, have been moved. A group of bears was relocated to a sanctuary in Colorado earlier this year. The process of relocating the remaining animals continues, with the last belugas set to leave Canada soon. The provincial government has played a role in Marineland's struggles, declaring in 2021 that all marine mammals at the park were in distress due to poor water quality. Marineland invested millions of dollars to address these issues, but the park attributes some of the animals' deaths to the 2019 legislation rather than the water conditions. Despite these challenges, Marineland has managed to secure agreements for the sale of its belugas and dolphins. Last year, the park finalized a deal to transfer all its belugas and dolphins to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, which holds the title of the world's largest aquarium. This agreement was crucial for Marineland, as it found a suitable home for its entire collection of captive belugas. As the last belugas prepare to leave Canada, the future of Marineland remains uncertain. The sale of the park is contingent upon the removal of all its animals, highlighting the complex relationship between the facility's financial viability and the well-being of its marine residents. With the departure of the final belugas, Canada officially ends its chapter of captive whalekeeping, leaving the legacy of Marineland to be remembered as both a pioneering attraction and a cautionary tale in the evolving landscape of marine conservation.