Two More Whales Die at Marineland

Two more beluga whales died earlier this month at Marineland, Canada, bringing the total number of animals deceased to 22 over the past five years.

A staggering number of beluga whales — 16 in total — have died during this period, along with one bottlenose dolphin, one gray seal, one harbor seal, two California sea lions and Kiska, the last remaining orca at the facility.

While the province of Ontario has not said how the whales died, in a statement, Marineland said “independent necropsies confirm the two belugas both died from torsion after valiant medical efforts to assist them.”*
*Source: Liam Casey, The Canadian Press, 3/26/24

Approximately two years ago in May 2021, Marineland sold five beluga whales to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. Out of the five whales, only two remain alive today. During that same year, an investigation by Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services revealed that the marine mammals at Marineland were in distress due to poor water quality. For the past four years, the province has been investigating the facility but very little details are known about their findings.

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.

Featured image: Captive beluga whales at Marineland, Canada. Credit: Cynthia Fernandez/DolphinProject.com