Canadian last captive whale will live near Marineland Park Niagara Falls After now, the federal government refused to request a zoo to ship 30 Belugas. China,
Fisheries Minister Joan Thompson said on Wednesday that the Canadian government would not offer an export permit to send a whale to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Aquarium. He said that this decision is in line with a 2019 law, which makes it illegal to use whales and dolphins in the entertainment show or keeps them in captivity.
“All whales are in the sea, not in the tank for entertainment purposes,” Thompson told Parliament Hill reporters on Wednesday morning.
According to a database created by Canadian Press News Agency based on internal documents and official statements, Twenty Whale – A killer whale and 19 Belugas – Niagara Falls, Ontario, have died in tourist attraction since 2019.
Thompson said what happens next to the whale, rests with Marinland.
Marinland said that it is “deep” disappointed with the decision of the federal government.
The company said in an email, “After many years of work to find a permanent house for our beliefs, human transfer for a recognized feature abroad was the only viable option to ensure that our cute whales survived and they could get care, which they deserved.”
Marineland condemned the decision “in a closed feature condemned these magnificent animals for an uncertain future, which does not have the ability to pay for their constant feeding and care.”
Ontario Premier Dug Ford said he was disappointed that the federal government would not sign the move of animals. “We need a proper house for them, simple,” he said. “We can save the whale.”
Thompson said he agrees that “these whales deserve a good house, but Chimelong Ocean Kingdom Theme Park was not this.”
He said, “I could not approve the export of these whales for further exploitation in good conscience. I would welcome all export requests that align and review them with the Fisheries Act,” he said.
Marineland announced that it was for sale in early 2023 and closed to the public in late summer. It did not open this year as it looks to sell the park and Horsasho Falls has a huge self. No sales have been announced yet.
The law banning the whale imprisonment did not apply to the current population of the captive whale in Marinland, but the park had to follow another part of the law that refuses breeding.