Thirty belugas in Canada face being euthanised. Can they be saved?

For decades, Marineland has been a destination for Canadian children and their parents who want to get up close and personal with ocean life near Niagara Falls.

But behind the water-themed roller coasters and dolphin shows lay a dark history of documented animal cruelty and protracted financial problems.

Ontario Animal Services has conducted numerous investigations over the past few years. Has visited the park more than 200 times since 2020, according to CBC News.

Amid financial difficulties, the park is trying to obtain permission to sell 30 beluga whales to China. When they were denied permission, the park said they might have to euthanize the whales.

Now advocates, experts and officials are looking for ways to save the whales, although few agree on one solution and some say Marineland's threats to kill the whales are just talk.

Founded by John and Marie Hole in 1961, the massive water park occupies more than 1,000 acres (400 hectares) of prime Ontario real estate.

But what was once a beloved attraction with catchy advertising now faces growing scrutiny over animal welfare concerns, including land animals such as bears and moose.

In 2019, Canada passed a law banning the keeping of whales, dolphins or porpoises in captivity.

The legislation created protections for any future animals, but not for animals already in captivity, leaving little room for federal intervention in the Marineland whale situation.

Criticism of the park began several years ago, and in 2020 Animal Control began an investigation into the park.

That investigation led the provincial animal welfare agency to say all of the park's marine life was in distress due to poor water quality. By 2024, after investing in new technology, water quality had improved, the provincial government told the Canadian Press.

But that same year, Marineland was found guilty under Ontario's animal cruelty laws for the abuse and neglect of three young black bears who were kept for months in small enclosures with insufficient access to water.

According to the Canadian Press, a total of twenty whales have died in Marineland since 2019 – one killer whale and 19 beluga whales. The company said the animals were treated well and the death was part of a natural life cycle.

Attendance at the park dropped sharply and it did not open to tourists this spring as usual. Many people believe that bankruptcy is inevitable.

“Unfortunately, they're telling us they're burning furniture to heat the house,” Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati told Radio-Canada on Friday. “There is no money.”

Park officials say they can't afford to continue caring for the animals, so they have to find them a new home. Marineland has applied for federal government approval to sell whales to a theme park in Zhuhai, China.

But Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said the whales would be treated as poorly as a “public amusement” in a Chinese park and rejected Marineland's request.

A number of organizations agreed with Thompson that a park in Zhuhai was not a viable option.

The park shocked many last week when it told the government it might have to euthanize the whales. Instead, he asked the Canadian government for funding to continue caring for the animals.

Marineland's letter to the Department of Fisheries, obtained by the BBC, said whatever happens to the animals will be a “direct consequence of the Minister's decision”.

This statement was not well received by the government.

“The fact that Marineland has no plans to create a viable alternative, despite these whales being raised in captivity for many years, does not place the burden on the Canadian government to cover your costs,” Thompson said in a letter to Marineland obtained by the BBC.

The current status of the whales remains unclear. Marineland did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.

But Phil Demers, who spent 12 years as a senior trainer at Marineland and has since become an outspoken critic, told the BBC there were limited opportunities beyond one in China where it was possible to catch all 30 whales in one facility.

He believes the best scenario for the whales would be any option that allows them to quickly leave Marineland.

Without China, he believes the best possible outcome would be a coalition of American businesses, each catching a handful of whales.

“These animals should have left these waters yesterday,” Mr. Demers said.

Others say conditions require the provincial government to step in and capture the whales.

Ontario may appoint inspectors to take care of animals in distress and reimburse the facility owner under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act.

This is the first step many want to see Ontario Premier Doug Ford take.

“Premier Ford must realize, whether he likes it or not, Ontario has primary jurisdiction over captive wild animals within provincial boundaries,” said Colin Saravanamuttu, executive director of World Animal Welfare Canada. “This game of chicken between Marineland, the province and Ottawa is completely unacceptable – Premier Ford needs to step up, lead and stop passing the buck.”

The animal welfare organization Whale and Dolphin Conservation also wrote to Ford asking for an independent veterinary examination of each whale “to ensure each person receives a humane and compassionate outcome.”

Ford's office did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation wants the whales to be sent to a sanctuary in Nova Scotia run by the Whale Sanctuary Project.

But there are some caveats.

Charles Vinik, CEO of the Whale Sanctuary, said the facility won't be ready until next summer and will only be able to accommodate eight to 10 whales.

“There is no open shelter that can accommodate them today or tomorrow,” he said.

For now, as options to save the whales continue to be discussed, it is widely believed that Marineland's talk of euthanasia is just that, talk.

“The whole euthanasia threat is bluster,” said Mr. Demers, a former Marineland employee.

But the clock is ticking to find a solution that will give these animals a better, safer life.

“It will take more than one person or one organization to provide these animals with the quality of life they deserve,” Mr. Vinik said.