Today marks the relocation of two belugas and four dolphins from Marineland to an aquarium in Spain, making it the fifth transfer of marine mammals from the now-closed theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Marineland, facing financial struggles and unable to sustain its animal care costs, has been selling off its collection of belugas and dolphins.
Originally, the park had planned to send all 30 belugas and four dolphins to an aquarium in China, but this move was blocked by the Canadian government due to a law passed in 2019 that prohibited whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances. Following this obstruction, the animals are now being sent to Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.
Among the dolphins being relocated are Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, the last captive dolphins in Canada, who will be accompanied by belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean. As a result of these transfers, only six belugas will remain at Marineland, with plans for them to be moved to a US aquarium soon.
After Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson intervened to prevent the China relocation, Marineland faced the threat of euthanizing its belugas and dolphins if emergency financial assistance was not provided by the government. Subsequently, a collaboration between American and Spanish aquariums stepped in to aid Marineland in finding new homes for the marine mammals.
This significant series of relocations has seen captive belugas being moved to various marine parks in the United States, including SeaWorld locations in San Diego and San Antonio, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
