Marineland initiates the relocation of a third group of whales to international aquariums. Specialized workers at the now-closed tourist site in Niagara Falls, Ont., are carefully transferring six beluga whales into a tailored sling before lifting them into tanks. Following this, a police-escorted convoy will transport the two male and four female whales to Toronto’s Pearson airport for their journey to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
Marineland ceased public operations in 2024 and is currently up for sale due to financial constraints hindering proper whale care. Prior to this recent relocation, the park housed 30 belugas and four dolphins, the last captive marine mammals in Canada. The first transfer occurred on July 20, with six belugas moving to Shedd and SeaWorld in San Antonio, followed by an additional seven belugas transferred to the same location weeks later.
This intricate operation, dubbed “unprecedented” by Marineland, is crucial for the whales’ continued existence. Initially, a deal to sell the belugas to a Chinese aquarium was blocked by the fisheries minister, prompting Marineland to threaten euthanasia without emergency federal funding. Subsequently, a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums facilitated the current relocation process, with SeaWorld in San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain also set to receive some of Marineland’s marine mammals.
In the event of relocation failure, euthanasia remains a possibility for the whales. Following the recent move, 11 belugas and four dolphins will remain at Marineland, with plans to complete the relocation of all remaining whales by the end of the month.
