The Canadian government is being urged by Animal Justice, a national animal law advocacy organization, to impose a condition on the permits allowing most of the 30 beluga whales at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., to be transported to U.S. aquariums. The condition being sought is that these whales should not be bred.
On the same day, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved an emergency rescue plan for approximately 28 of the whales destined for four U.S. aquariums. Two additional whales are slated to be moved to an aquarium in Spain, pending the necessary permits from the Spanish government.
Animal Justice emphasized the importance of ensuring that the transported whales are not compelled to perform in shows reminiscent of those at Marineland, which closed to the public in 2024. The organization stressed the need for these whales to be safeguarded from entertainment-related activities.
The Canadian Fisheries Minister’s office stated that each whale must undergo a health assessment by a Canadian veterinarian as part of the export permit conditions. When questioned about Animal Justice’s concerns, the office mentioned that the proposed plan complies with Canadian law and is deemed beneficial for the animals.
The federal policy dictates that exported cetaceans should not be bred or impregnated at their destination facilities. The four U.S. aquariums receiving the belugas are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, ensuring high standards of animal care and well-being.
Camille Labchuk from Animal Justice stressed the significance of protecting the whales from breeding or forced performances during their transport. The goal is to prevent future generations from enduring captivity and exploitation.
Plans are underway for dedicated care staff to assess the whales’ well-being in Niagara Falls before transportation to the U.S. Once ready for shipping, the belugas will be accompanied by aquarium experts to their new homes, offering them specialized care, diverse seafood, and a high-quality environment.
Marineland acknowledged that they can no longer provide adequate care for the whales and believe that the rescue operation is in the best interest of the animals. The completion of the whale shipments to the U.S. aquariums is expected to take several weeks once all approvals are secured.
