18 Beluga Deaths in 5 Years at Marineland Canada

Dolphin Project can confirm that a 7 year-old beluga whale was euthanized at Marineland, Canada late last week, due to intractable medical conditions. While this act in itself isn’t necessarily concerning, what IS is that this makes 18 beluga whales to die at the park since 2019.

According to CTV News Canada, in the summer of 2023, a reporter visited Marineland and was told by staff there were 37 belugas at the park. However, since that visit, according to the Ontario provincial government, six belugas died, making 18 deaths in total to occur over the past five years. Also during that year, in March 2023, Canada’s last captive orca, Kiska, died at Marineland, after living in solitary confinement for the last 12 years of her life.

In 2023, Kiska — Canada’s last captive orca — died at Marineland, after living in solitary confinement for the last 12 years of her life. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Marineland has had a number of criminal charges laid and dozens of orders issued related to the quality of care of their animals. In 2020, an investigation was launched by Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services, who claim to have visited the park over 200 times since.

With a provincial election called for later this month, Marineland has now become a hot issue on the campaign trail, with Ontario’s party leaders pledging to help the remaining beluga whales at the park. And it’s long overdue that they did.

For several years, Dolphin Project has supported local grassroots activists in their efforts to bring awareness to the goings-on at the park, including attending several demonstrations at the facility. With the passing of Bill S-203, Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act in June 2019, Marineland is the last attraction in Canada to keep dolphins and other whales in captivity.

Sources used in this blog:

Marineland euthanizes seven-year-old beluga after medical struggles – CTV News, 2-7-25

Featured image: Beluga whales, Marineland of Canada. Credit: DolphinProject.com