Backlash Intensifies After Theme Park’s Whale Death Toll Hits 18

Another whale has died at Marineland of Canada, a theme park long scrutinized for its treatment of captive animals.

The latest death adds to a growing toll of 18 whale fatalities since 2019, raising concerns about the conditions at the park, located in Ontario.

Credit: Marineland of Canada

For years, Marineland has faced backlash from animal rights activists, former employees, and the public, who argue that the park’s animal enclosures and care practices are insufficient, resulting in tragic losses among its marine inhabitants.

Much of this controversy around captive marine mammals began with the release of Blackfish in 2013, a documentary that highlighted the impact of captivity on killer whales, or orcas, particularly those held by SeaWorld. The film centered on Tilikum, an orca at SeaWorld Orlando, who was involved in several tragic incidents, including the death of a trainer.

In response to public pressure, SeaWorld ended its orca breeding programs and began shifting its focus toward other attractions, ultimately opting to open its newest park in Abu Dhabi without orcas altogether.

Credit: Marineland of Canada

However, while SeaWorld has made significant changes, Marineland has retained its large marine mammal population, including the world’s largest captive beluga whale group. Accusations of subpar animal welfare have persisted for over a decade. Disturbing stories have emerged, such as the case of Kanuck, an orca calf that died after being separated from its mother, and another unnamed whale that drowned at the park in the early 1990s.

In August, an investigation by The Canadian Press uncovered that 14 whales and a dolphin had died at Marineland since 2019, in addition to several beluga deaths since then.

The most recent loss of another beluga whale, announced this week, has only intensified scrutiny. The province’s chief animal welfare inspector has stated that Marineland’s water quality falls “within acceptable limits,” as weekly water tests by a specialized unit confirm. However, activists and former employees argue that this does little to address the deeper welfare issues.

Credit: ANDR3W A, Flickr

Animal welfare enforcement in Marineland has increased since 2020, when Ontario took over responsibility from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The park has reportedly been inspected over 200 times since then, suggesting that officials are monitoring conditions closely.

But footage released in October by UrgentSeas—a whistleblower account co-founded by former Marineland walrus trainer Phil Demers—painted a bleak picture of Marineland’s animal care. The video captured trainers struggling to treat a visibly sick beluga whale, prompting Demers to express his heartbreak at witnessing the decline of these animals firsthand.

This latest incident is only part of the park’s recent troubles. In August, Marineland was fined nearly $85,000 ($61,000 USDD) for violating Ontario’s animal cruelty laws in relation to its captive black bears. The park’s reputation appears to be faltering, and rumors of its possible closure or sale have gained momentum.

Credit: lezumbalaberenjena, Flickr

This year, the park limited its opening season to just July and August and shut down its rides entirely, a significant shift from previous years when it opened from May to October.

With attendance dwindling and entrance fees slashed to just $14.95 ($10.75 USD) for adults in 2024, Marineland may be facing a challenging future. As the debate over animal captivity intensifies, many wonder whether Marineland’s beluga whales, now the primary focus of the park, will eventually be freed from captivity or if they’ll continue to live—and potentially die—within its tanks.

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