Marineland’s belugas are facing perilous conditions due to deteriorating facilities, understaffing, and resource deficiencies, prompting a former beluga trainer to advocate for their immediate relocation. Kristy Burgess, who previously worked at the Niagara Falls park, expressed concern over the park’s ultimatum to euthanize its remaining 30 belugas if emergency funding is not secured, labeling it as a manipulative tactic. Urging for swift action, Burgess emphasized the urgency of moving the last captive whales in Canada to safer environments.
During Burgess’s tenure at Marineland, she witnessed the demise of 19 belugas, one dolphin, and one killer whale since 2019, as reported by The Canadian Press. Highlighting the dire state of the belugas’ habitats, Burgess pointed out the deteriorating conditions of their pools, Arctic Cove and Friendship Cove, with peeling walls and falling concrete posing risks to the whales. She recounted instances where whales ingested paint chips and played with disintegrating rocks from the pools’ decorative elements, necessitating interventions to remove large rocks from the tanks.
Moreover, Burgess highlighted the frequent breakdown of the water system at Marineland, impacting the park’s ability to provide essential medical care to the whales. These operational challenges led to delays in treatment and forced trainers to take additional risks to ensure the well-being of the animals. Despite efforts to reach out to Marineland for comments on her allegations, the park remained unresponsive to multiple requests.
Following the federal government’s rejection of export permits to relocate the belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson emphasized the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the belugas and denied the export request to prevent future captivity performances. With Marineland facing financial constraints and exploring alternatives to sustain the belugas, Burgess called for a reconsideration of the decision and criticized the park’s potential euthanasia threat as unacceptable.
The complex situation at Marineland has attracted government scrutiny, with the federal and provincial authorities debating responsibilities for the belugas’ well-being. Ontario, tasked with enforcing animal welfare laws, has conducted ongoing investigations into Marineland’s compliance, issuing multiple orders for improvements related to water quality, maintenance, record-keeping, and enclosure conditions. Despite the park’s challenges, Burgess remains committed to raising awareness about the plight of the belugas at Marineland, urging for proactive measures to safeguard their future.