“The conditions (for the bears) were so poor, Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services declared the bears in distress and ordered Marineland to improve the conditions.”
A News Release from World Animal Protection, a non-profit animal welfare organization with an office in Toronto, Ontario
Posted March 8th, 2024 on Niagara At Large
Marineland (a high-profile amusement park in Niagara, Falls, Ontario that has long been under fire from citizen groups)advocating for the protection of animals) has been found guilty of three charges under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.
Photo that accompanies World Animal Protection news release
The charges against Marineland of Canada were laid in 2021 due to the inadequate living conditions they provided for three young black bears. The bears were kept in cramped enclosures without proper amenities like climbing structures or access to permanent water structures.
The conditions were so poor, Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services declared the bears in distress and ordered Marineland to improve the conditions.
Marineland failed to make necessary changes, resulting in the Crown seizing the bears and relocating them to sanctuaries.
One of countless rallies organized by citizen groups in front of Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario over the past three or four decades. file photo by Doug Draper
Marineland pleaded not guilty to the charges initially, arguing that since the bears were relocated, they did meet the 2021 orders. The court disagreed.
This is the first time that Marineland has been found guilty for inadequately taking care of the bears, but it’s certainly not the first time that they have been charged for not complying to federal and provincial animal welfare and cruelty regulations.
“The court decision reinforces why Marineland should not be able to own any wildlife. The organization was ordered to make changes, and they neglected to do so. How many more examples are needed before Marineland is shut down once and for all?
Captive bears begging for food from Marineland park visitors. a file photo posted by Niagara At Large in 2018 and taken during the past decade. courtesy of Zoocheck Canada.
We commend Animal Welfare Services for bringing forward charges, but acknowledge there are limited resources to properly enforce what limited captive wildlife laws and regulations exist in Ontario.
The captive wildlife system is broken and allows bad actors like Marineland to continue operating with no real consequences.
It’s why we’re calling on the provincial government to implement stronger regulations and enforcement to protect the health and welfare of the remaining animals at Marineland and in other underregulated zoos and facilities across Ontario.”
– Michèle Hamers, Wildlife Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection
Speak out for captive wildlife at Marineland and other cruel venues
Join us in advocating for the well-being of captive wild animals. Help us fight against the degrading conditions they endure due to a lack of provincial regulations. Send an e-letter to Ontario’s Solicitor General and demand immediate action to protect these animals from suffering.
About World Animal Protection – World Animal Protection is an animal welfare non-profit organization with local reach and global influence. Our Canadian office is located in Toronto and works alongside our country offices that are active in over 50 countries around the world.
Every day, billions of animals experience unbearable suffering. At World Animal Protection, we move the world to protect animals because the life of every animal counts.
Our vision is a world where animals live free from cruelty and suffering.
Our mission is to move the world to protect animals.
For more on World Animal Protection, click on – We move the world to protect animals. | World Animal Protection
A Footnote from Niagara At Large – According to a Canadian Press story, “Marineland faces a maximum fine of $100,000 for the first count (related to the charges it was found guilty of) and a $250,000 fine for the two subsequent counts. There is no minimum fine. You can read the Canadian Press story by clicking on – .https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/marineland-guilty-of-charges-for-keeping-3-bears-in-cramped-quarters/article_c040f57b-a248-5975-817a-37d0ec3a6a79.html
To read a related CBC story on this matter, click on – Marineland guilty of charges over its care of 3 young black bears | CBC News
To read a news release from the advocacy group Animal Jusitice on this case, click on – https://animaljustice.ca/media-releases/in-watershed-moment-marineland-convicted-of-animal-welfare-offences-after-decades-of-cruelty
To visit Marineland Canada’s website, click on – https://www.marineland.ca/
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
Marineland should be closed down, long overdue!
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Marineland should not be given any further chances to improve animal welfare. ….It is heartbreaking to have such a low standard tourist attraction in our region. They should be closed down once and for all. All the animals should go to sanctuaries to liveout a better quality of life.
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