“The money (Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario) is asking for would be better directed toward the seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia that is actually prepared to help whales live out the lives they deserve.”
A News Release from the non-profit animal advocacy group, Animal Justice
Posted April 24th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
TORONTO—National animal law organization Animal Justice is condemning Marineland’s disgraceful request for $10 to $20 million in taxpayer dollars to pay for the potential relocation of surviving whales and dolphins still stranded at the now-shuttered roadside zoo and aquarium in Niagara Falls.
Marineland made the business decision to purchase and breed whales and dolphins for decades, profiting off of over a million visitors each year. Marineland has ample resources and sits on what is likely one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in Canada, estimated to be worth upwards of $500 million.
Instead of developing a serious plan for the whales’ future when Canada banned their captivity in 2019, Marineland has put forward half-baked schemes, including a sale to a subpar aquarium in China that did not meet the legal standards set out in federal law, and even threatening to kill its 30 surviving beluga whales unless the federal government paid the defunct facility to care for the animals.
“Marineland made a fortune keeping whales in squalid, depressing tanks and using them in cruel shows, and is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property in Niagara Falls,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice.
“The money it is asking for would be better directed toward the seaside sanctuary in Nova Scotia that is actually prepared to help whales live out the lives they deserve.”
Animal Justice is calling on the federal government to reject Marineland’s bailout request and take immediate steps to secure a lawful, humane outcome for the facility’s remaining animals, including transferring as many belugas as possible to established sanctuary efforts such as the Whale Sanctuary Project set to open in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia.
The organization recently secured a US$ 3 million donation to advance construction of its coastal sea pen and says it is moving forward with site development. Federal funds would be best spent supporting the sanctuary so that it can complete construction as soon as possible and provide dignified, long-term homes for belugas from Marineland.
“Public funds should not be used to resolve a crisis created by a private company that chose profit over animal welfare for decades,” Ms. Mitchell said.
“Time and time again, Marineland has put the Fisheries Minister in a challenging position, threatening to kill these intelligent, social animals unless the government hands over millions of dollars to the theme park. This crisis is the product of decades of neglect and cruelty. Marineland’s continued attempts to extort taxpayers rather than take responsibility are reprehensible.”
Earlier this year, Marineland applied for permits to export its remaining beluga whales and dolphins to the US. To date, there are no publicly available details about this proposal, including the animals’ health status and how many can go to each US facility involved. Animal Justice has urged the federal government to ensure any export conditions are consistent with Canadian law and guarantee the animals will not be used for breeding if they are sent to the US. This generation of whales must be the last to suffer in captivity.
Marineland has continued to ignore the compassionate possibilities offered by the Whale Sanctuary Project. The 100-acre seaside sanctuary could provide a permanent, peaceful home for many of the belugas confined in cramped tanks at Marineland.
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