An expose revealed that 15 marine mammals died since 2019 in a popular Ontario aquarium and theme park, which has been subjected to an animal welfare investigation.
According to local media, 14 whales and one dolphin have died in Marineland. Details concerning the deaths at the Niagara Falls tourist attraction are available in a list compiled by the Ministry of the Solicitor General in response to freedom of information requests.
Animal deaths
Twelve of the beluga whale deaths occurred within a two-year period, with documentation indicating that a beluga named Ikora died on Oct. 24, 2019, followed by ten others and a beluga named Bull on Nov. 23, 2021.
Kiska, the park's lone killer whale, a dolphin, and another beluga died this year.
The cause of the deaths of most animals is still unclear.
During that time, provincial officials expressed concern over the park's water quality and declared that all marine mammals were in distress.
The province ordered the park to clean its water in May 2021, an order Marineland challenged, claiming that its animals were not in distress.
Marineland rejected any connection between beluga whale deaths and the state of the water in which they lived.
Marineland also claims that it has a "strong record" of caring for its creatures' well-being and that it will "continue to prioritize their health and wellbeing."
Marineland, which opened in 1961, also has land animals such as bears, bison, elk, and deer.
The province charged Marineland earlier this year for failing to provide proper enclosures and water access for its three black bears.
The aquarium and theme park has been inspected 160 times by the animal protection services since January 2020.
Lack of transparency
Animal rights activists believe the provincial investigation body's lack of information is hindering efforts to grasp what happened at Marineland.
Since taking over enforcement tasks previously performed by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Animal Welfare Services has not published a single news release regarding any of its cases.
According to some observers, the lack of information on taxpayer-funded investigations is an issue, especially because the government said that established Animal Welfare Services would make the enforcement of animal cruelty laws more open.
"The public has the right to know," said Kendra Coulter, a professor at Huron University College at Western University who is an expert on animal protection organizations.
The Solicitor General's office stated that it was reviewing its communication policies.
"The Ministry of the Solicitor General is currently reviewing how AWS information relating to enforcement activities is released to the public," said Hunter Kell, a spokesman for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.
Wayne Gates, the New Democrat provincial legislature for Niagara Falls who has long protected the park, says the time has come for Marineland to make changes, suggesting that it abandon the animal business and concentrate on rides and other forms of entertainment.
Gates noted the significance of the aquarium in the community, as it has 100 full-time employees and up to 700 seasonal workers when it is open from May to October.
"The time has come to repurpose Marineland for new opportunities," he said.
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