Beluga Whales: Euthanasia Risk Due to Funding Issues

NIAGARA, KOMPAS.com – Canada’s marine wildlife park, Marineland, may euthanize 30 beluga whales if the government does not allow exports to China or provide emergency funding.

The warning was conveyed in a letter to the Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson, after the export application was rejected.

According to reports CBCthe letter was sent on Friday (3/10/2025) stating that Marineland was in a critical financial condition.

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In the letter, the park admitted that it was no longer able to cover the costs of caring for and feeding the animals.

“We are facing a heart-wrenching decision, namely euthanasia,” said a written statement from Marineland, quoted from Sky News.

Minister Thompson rejected the export application on the grounds that sending the whales overseas was contrary to the Canadian Fisheries Act.

He also expressed concern that the animals would be further exploited.

“All whales should be in the ocean, not in aquariums for entertainment purposes,” Thompson told reporters last week.

Marineland, located near Niagara Falls, is proposing to move 30 beluga whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China.

Marineland said the facility was the only viable relocation option, and the transfer would be carried out safely to an accredited facility.

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However, the federal government’s decision to deny the permit drew reactions from a number of regional officials, including the Chief Minister of the Province of Ontario, Doug Ford.

“We need decent homes for them, it’s as simple as that,” Ford said. “We have to save the whales.”

Since 2019, at least 20 marine mammals including one orca whale and 19 beluga whales have died at Marineland, according to a proprietary database The Canadian Press.

The park has closed its operations to visitors since the summer of 2024, and was offered for sale in 2023. Until now, no buyer has been officially announced.

Beluga whales are known as friendly marine mammals with striking white skin and round heads.

They live in Arctic waters and are nicknamed “sea canaries” because of their characteristic sounds that resemble chirps, whistles and clicks.

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