The Canadian government has given “conditional approval” to Marineland to transfer 30 captive belugas and four dolphins to facilities in the United States. Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson, confirmed the approval after meeting with Marineland officials regarding their proposal to export the animals.
During a recent meeting, Marineland informed Thompson that they would euthanize the belugas and dolphins if they were not allowed to ship them abroad. Thompson described the meeting as “productive” and stated that she provided conditional approval for export permits pending final information from Marineland.
Thompson emphasized that her decision was guided by the best interests of the whales. A government source revealed that the approval is only for specific U.S. institutions, and Marineland must provide details on which animals will go where and submit a comprehensive transport plan.
Marineland intends to relocate the whales and dolphins to Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, and a SeaWorld location. Expressing gratitude, Marineland acknowledged the support from Minister Thompson and the Canadian government for prioritizing the well-being of the marine mammals.
Experts from accredited zoos and aquariums in the U.S., including Shedd Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and SeaWorld, recently visited Marineland to assess the belugas’ health and social interactions. The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) clarified that it was not directly involved in discussions about transporting the belugas.
Marineland ceased public operations in 2024 while seeking to sell its property near Horseshoe Falls. Despite closure, the park continues to care for various animals, including belugas, dolphins, seals, sea lions, bears, and deer. Animal rights group Animal Justice expressed disappointment over the conditional approval, highlighting the need for individual health assessments before moving the animals and ensuring they are not bred in the U.S. to comply with Canadian laws prohibiting breeding in captivity.
