Call To Action to Save 30 Beluga Whales in Canada!
By Mark J. Palmer
Thirty white, stressed beluga whales are currently stranded in concrete tanks in Marineland, Niagara Falls, Canada. They are languishing in poor conditions in a facility that has been closed, and the property subdivided and put up for sale.
The fate of these 30 belugas has shocked people around the world. But Marineland refuses to work with anyone outside the company, and the Canadian government is waiting for Marineland to come up with relocation options that are consistent with Canadian law.
Now our colleagues at the Canadian-based Animal Justice have urged the public to contact key government officials to intervene and take action.
Canada’s legislation, called the Free Willy Bill and supported by the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute and many of our Canadian colleagues, mandated a phase-out of holding whales and dolphins for entertainment. The legislation banned any imports or exports of live whales and dolphins (with an exception for the welfare of the animals), breeding in captivity, and other aspects of captivity. Marineland was originally allowed to continue keeping its existing animals even after 19 belugas and one orca died in the past decade.
IMMP and many Canadian organizations succeeded in convincing the Canadian government to block the sale and transfer of all thirty of the belugas to Chimelong Aquarium in China, which has a poor record of keeping marine mammals alive. The belugas would have to perform tricks and likely would be bred in China, failing to meet the requirements of the Canadian law.
Marineland is threatening to euthanize the belugas unless the Canadian government provides funding, ignoring offers of help from environmental organizations. Euthanizing so many animals is not likely a serious threat, but disturbing nonetheless.
IMMP Executive Director David Phillips stated, “If Marineland euthanizes 30 belugas, it would represent the worst act of cruelty in the history of the whale and dolphin captivity industry. What is clearly needed is a commitment from Marineland and the Canadian government to support relocating belugas to seaside sanctuaries. Every captive beluga would have far better and longer lives outside of concrete tanks.”
Phillips continued: “The Canadian Provincial government in Nova Scotia has approved the siting of a seaside sanctuary by the non-profit Whale Sanctuary Project, and this site can be a critical location to retire some of the belugas from Marineland.” The sanctuary would provide food and vet care for the belugas, but they would not have to perform tricks for the public.
What You Can Do:
We urge you to join in the effort led by the Canadian organization Animal Justice to call or send email messages to Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
We need the intervention of the Canadian government so the belugas can be rescued from their current situation and relocated as soon as possible to seaside sanctuaries. Marineland won’t do this without the Canadian provincial government declaring an animal welfare emergency, to seize possession of the belugas. An outside team of veterinarians and experts should be allowed to assess the health of the belugas and how best to improve their current condition.
PHONE ONTARIO PREMIER DOUG FORD
Call: 416-325-1941
You Can Also Contact Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Prime Minister Form for Contact Message
Here is a Sample Script:
My name is _______ and I'm very distressed over the dire situation of the animals at Marineland. I know Premier Ford has also mentioned being concerned about their well-being. Can you please intervene in the situation? Send in independent experts to assess the whales and other animals' health and improve conditions there until longer-term solutions are found, and make Marineland pay for it.
I’m asking Premier Ford to do everything he can to ______(something about helping the animals).
ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS:
- The situation at Marineland is becoming increasingly dire. Over the past several years, the number of captive whales at the Niagara Falls theme park has steadily declined, with multiple deaths reported under disturbing circumstances.
- Urge the Solicitor General to take immediate steps to enforce Ontario’s animal protection law by engaging marine mammal experts to care for the whales, improve their living conditions, provide veterinary care, and send Marineland the bill.
- Advocate for more transparency - animal protection groups, experts, and the public have a right to know what is being done to ensure the animals at Marineland are protected from further suffering.
- Urge the province to work with the federal government to ensure as many whales as possible are sent to seaside sanctuaries. Also, there should be independent health assessments to ensure any whales exported are healthy enough to endure transport.
- I’m asking you to do everything you can to save these animals and give them the life they deserve after so many years of hardship.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION!
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The International Marine Mammal Project is working to end captivity for all whales and dolphins, retiring existing animals in captivity from concrete tanks to seaside sanctuaries. Your donations directly help beluga whales in Canada as well as whales and dolphins in captivity all around the world. Greed still holds sway over the welfare of dolphins and whales in small tanks. Help end the misery and boredom and deaths in captivity. Thank you for your support.
