The Canadian government and Marineland, an embattled marine park in Ontario, have reached a tentative agreement to relocate 30 beluga whales to aquariums in Spain and the United States, ending months of uncertainty over the animals' fate. The federal fisheries ministry announced the plan this week, which would end whale captivity in Canada.
Marineland, which effectively closed to visitors in 2024, had previously threatened to euthanize the belugas after the government blocked their sale to China. The new plan involves shipping the whales to Oceanogràfic València in Spain, one of Europe's largest aquariums, or to a consortium of US aquariums in Georgia, Chicago, San Diego and San Antonio.
Advocacy groups have described the relocation as the 'least worst option' for the whales, which have been kept in tanks that critics describe as decrepit and deteriorating. Kaitlyn Mitchell, a lawyer at Animal Justice, said Canada should prioritise sending as many animals as possible to sanctuaries, but acknowledged the move is a step forward.
The decision is a blow to a controversial sanctuary in Nova Scotia that had offered to house the belugas. Before transport, Canadian veterinarians will examine each whale to ensure they are healthy enough to travel. Export permits will be issued closer to the date of transport pending final health checks.
Mitchell expressed concern about the whales' health, noting that three out of five belugas previously transferred from Marineland to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut died. She called for independent experts to evaluate the animals before any transfer.
