Thirty beluga whales at Marineland Canada may be euthanized if the government does not step in with funds or allow their transfer abroad. The park closed in 2024 amid ongoing allegations of poor animal treatment and falling visitor numbers.
Marineland’s plan to send the whales to China’s Chimelong Ocean Kingdom was rejected by Canadian authorities, who cited concerns about continued captivity and public entertainment uses. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson declined the export permit, emphasizing animal welfare and prohibiting cruel conditions.
With no viable alternative and funding lacking, Marineland warned it would have no choice but to kill the whales. Animal welfare organizations decried Marineland’s profit-driven model and called for urgent action to protect the whales. A sanctuary being developed in Nova Scotia offers potential refuge for some of the marine mammals.
