Canada: 14 whales have died at aquarium since 2019, exposé reveals

Jun 01, 2023

A dolphin has also died at the Marineland theme park, which faces accusations of animal cruelty

Fourteen whales and a dolphin have died since 2019 at a popular Canadian aquarium and theme park, according to a new investigation by the Canadian Press.

Of the marine animals that have died, 13 were belugas and one was Kiska – the “world’s loneliest orca”, who died of a bacterial infection after four decades in captivity, the last 12 of which were in isolation.

The cause of death of the other 14 animals remains unclear.

Since January 2020, Ontario’s provincial animal welfare services has inspected Marineland 160 times. In 2021, it said all of Marineland’s marine animals were in distress because of the quality of the water and ordered the park to make improvements.

Canadian Press published its revelations on Thursday after receiving documents through access to information requests. A journalist, Liam Casey, said this story got him banned from Marineland.

The story that got me banned from Marineland:14 whales and one dolphin have died at Marineland since 2019. Most of those deaths occurred over a two-year timeframe. It’s still unclear why they died. I will keep digging.https://t.co/DYI7b7qUPq

Marineland, which opened in 1961, is also home to land animals including bears, bison, elk and deer, according to its website.

Earlier this year, the province charged Marineland over failing to provide adequate enclosures and water access to its three black bears.

Animal welfare activists have long accused the park of cruelty and abuse for keeping animals in unfit tanks and enclosures. Many of the sea animals at Marineland are trained to perform tricks in exchange for fish.

The former Marineland employee and whistleblower Phil Demers spent a decade trying to free Smooshi, a walrus he had previously trained and had since plotted to steal because of concerns over her health and safety.

This past spring, Smooshi and her calf Koyuk were relocated to SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi.

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I can’t wait until Smooshi & Koyuk are removed from MarineLand. For the first time in their lives, mother and son walruses will get to live together. MarineLand separated them at birth, and that’s torture to them. That’s the big win. Smooshi can finally be a happy walrus. Me too.

Marineland has steadfastly denied any mistreatment. “We have a strong record of providing for the welfare of our animals and will continue to prioritize their health and wellbeing as a central focus of our mission,” reads a website post signed by Marie Holer, who took over the park after her husband and Marineland’s founder died in 2018.

Reports in January showed Marineland is looking for a new buyer to help it “evolve, develop and grow”.

Wayne Gates, a member of provincial parliament in Niagara Falls, told the Canadian Press the time has come to repurpose Marineland.