Marineland Canada Marineland Canada News

[Local_Shark]

The Whale Sanctuary Project is little more than a scam IMHO. Nothing has been built and likely never will be built because none of the surrounding landowners have given permission for the WSP to go ahead.

And even if that weren't the case, the proposed sanctuary still wouldn't be viable because the bay it would be situated in has severe heavy metal contamination due to having been the dumping group for tailings for a gold mine. You literally can't fish there because the fish themselves aren't safe to eat!

Yeah...hence my saying that outcome is independent of all others, I truly doubt that such a thing will ever come to fruition. It was already such a mess with the one they tried to create for Keiko all those years ago. But that aside, no reason at all that what's left of Marineland can't be converted to that care center concept and provide a home to the most elderly whales, while the others live out their days at accredited facilities here. I don't think my opinion on euthanizing 30 animals for such...shall we say, flimsy reasoning really needs to be elaborated upon, it's probably fairly obvious.

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

But that aside, no reason at all that what's left of Marineland can't be converted to that care center concept and provide a home to the most elderly whales,

Aside from money. Who on earth is going to pay for such a thing? Marineland is about to file for bankruptcy.

 

[Local_Shark]

Aside from money. Who on earth is going to pay for such a thing? Marineland is about to file for bankruptcy.

Frankly, I think the Canadian government ought to have to pay for it given that they're the reason all this is happening. But the alternative would be one of the nonprofit or for-profit AZA institutions, or just another nonprofit in general, stepping up to the plate. Ripley's has the money, I have no doubt, but certainly all these independent organizations that profess to care so deeply about the whales should consider putting their money where their mouth is so thirty of them do not have to die (especially given that it's apparently one of them, "World Animal Protection", that came up with the idea).

 

[Zorro]

Frankly, I think the Canadian government ought to have to pay for it given that they're the reason all this is happening. But the alternative would be one of the nonprofit or for-profit AZA institutions, or just another nonprofit in general, stepping up to the plate. Ripley's has the money, I have no doubt, but certainly all these independent organizations that profess to care so deeply about the whales should consider putting their money where their mouth is so thirty of them do not have to die (especially given that it's apparently one of them, "World Animal Protection", that came up with the idea).

Lets look at the Patton here, Once the animal rights groups/governemnt have had their way with banning marine mammals elephants are next on the chopping block after this the great apes will be next and then another targets will be chosen perhaps the zoos themselves. these woke AR groups have already stated their ultimate goal is to see no animals in human care what so ever and that includes farm animals, domestic pets such as cats and dogs, while many people might not see this coming or have not noticed what it happening it will catch many by surprise, There needs to be some "pushback" now before these loons get their way!

 

[MidwestFan]

AZA could step in here - point to the successful acclimation of previous Marineland belugas in accredited facilities and the space available. Point to the research conducted on captive counterparts and the direct knowledge which assisted the Alaska Sea Life Center rescue a few years back. Could easily concede breeding rights in any permit, similar to what Mystic recently did and deal with that issue later.

If I was Dan Ashe, I'd be on the phone with the four beluga holders and hammer out a quick plan. You get the CEO of Georgia on the phone to NOAA to start greasing the wheels on an emergency permit.

A few articles I read mentioned that US based facilities would be an alternative. Surprised the Icelandic beluga sanctuary hasn't been named in the press yet

This plan is ideal in my opinion, but have little hope it would play out.

 

[Aelita]

The article's final sentence mentions the concept of Marineland transforming into what amounts to a palliative care or geriatric facility, perhaps run by the government or a nonprofit, which is a perfectly fine compromise to me. What that should entail is swift removal of any young belugas to facilities more able to care for them at that age and not explicitly devoted to breeding or shows, i.e. Georgia, Mystic, etc. It also certainly could entail the sanctuary off Nova Scotia eventually being completed and providing a better long-term home for these or other whales, an outcome more or less independent of all others. All of this would result in the Marineland tank (which honestly looks fairly passable to me, but certainly not 30 whales-passable) being used for a smaller population and giving all of them more space.

I think that should satisfy all parties involved, but unfortunately politically there are rarely such good compromises.

Considering the age demographics of the whales, this is an option, but a small percentage of happening.

Age demographics are:
age 6 to 18 (captive born whales)
while their founder population is from
24-25 (2008 cohort ), 28-29 (2005 cohort), 32-33 (2003 cohort, unfortunately not entirely sure for this third group’s ages) and then early to mid forties (Xena, Gemini and Andre)

My hope is that the AZA helps, they did advocate for the transfer in 2020/2021. The best idea would be getting the captive born whales placements first- as it has precedence due to Mystic Aquarium’s new research on lysosomal storage disease - that would need access to them.

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

This plan is ideal in my opinion, but have little hope it would play out.

The situation is now ripe for this potential and I'm doubtful another Chinese facility would satisfy the Fisheries Minister.

NOAA would absolutely entertain this import permit, if submitted.

 

[Local_Shark]

My hope is that the AZA helps, they did advocate for the transfer in 2020/2021. The best idea would be getting the captive born whales placements first- as it has precedence due to Mystic Aquarium’s new research on lysosomal storage disease - that would need access to them.

Yeah certainly the AZA could put their thumb on the scale for both plans, and I would hope they would do so. It certainly seems like rehoming the young captive born whales is very doable if it’s only about half the population. They could be split between GA, Mystic, Shedd, and maybe the SeaWorlds if that’s allowed by their government. Anything to prevent a literal six year old whale from being euthanized…I can imagine few more horrible things.

 

[BenFoxster]

Is there anything any of of us can do or contact to push the AZA or other facilities into getting these whales moved to avoid euthanization? Any other species at the park that could also use saving?

 

[TheOceanicHippo]

Is there anything any of of us can do or contact to push the AZA or other facilities into getting these whales moved to avoid euthanization? Any other species at the park that could also use saving?

Their four dolphins also need homes, but thats way easier than the belugas. They also have many black bears, as well as several species of hoofstock. My guess is the hoofstock with probably be euthenized. Im not sure if they still have sea lions anymore.

 

[Aelita]

Their four dolphins also need homes, but thats way easier than the belugas. They also have many black bears, as well as several species of hoofstock. My guess is the hoofstock with probably be euthenized. Im not sure if they still have sea lions anymore.

Their sealions and seals (2 & 2) could get easier placements in Canada.
Dolphins could be possible in the US or at SW Abu Dhabi, due to past precedence with 3/5 of the Canadian walruses moving there.

Most of the hoofstock, other than deer, have been transferred out by now.
And penguins left since last year as well.

 

[Aelita]

News; Marineland has requested for emergency funding, or there may be possibility of euthanasia as early as next week
Incredibly frightening.
“A source working with Marineland on this file told CBC News what's left of the company is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy after one of its lenders pulled funding amid the uncertainty over the export permits”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/marineland-beluga-whales-euthanize-1.7651009

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

Besides the threat of euthanasia passing, the article states that "Thompson [Fisheries Minister] did not capitulate to Marineland’s request, but has said she will consider any new export requests expeditiously."

Marineland’s belugas are alive after euthanasia deadline passes, Ontario says | Globalnews.ca

 

[Aelita]

Current news:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/marineland-food-whales-9.6935343

They needed to do restructuring & borrowing to fund food for all animals that have yet to relocate.

 

[Aelita]

New update; one of their former caregivers has been advocating for their move asap. Mentions infrastructure issues, the current issues that the facility is facing, and trigger warning for talking about grief
'We need to get them out': Beluga trainer fired by Marineland speaks out

 

[iluvwhales]

Yeah certainly the AZA could put their thumb on the scale for both plans, and I would hope they would do so. It certainly seems like rehoming the young captive born whales is very doable if it’s only about half the population. They could be split between GA, Mystic, Shedd, and maybe the SeaWorlds if that’s allowed by their government. Anything to prevent a literal six year old whale from being euthanized…I can imagine few more horrible things.

If they were split up evenly, that would be five whales per park. I'm sure it's doable, but I'm not familiar with the capacities at any of these places. (hyopthetical time) Maybe Minnesota could be convinced to take any in the old dolphin exhibit. (this next one's a gigantic maybe) MAYBE the New York Aquarium could be convinced to put any back into their old home where the sturgeon are now, at least some bachelor males or old timers.

 

[Local_Shark]

If they were split up evenly, that would be five whales per park. I'm sure it's doable, but I'm not familiar with the capacities at any of these places. (hyopthetical time) Maybe Minnesota could be convinced to take any in the old dolphin exhibit. (this next one's a gigantic maybe) MAYBE the New York Aquarium could be convinced to put any back into their old home where the sturgeon are now, at least some bachelor males or old timers.

In the earlier mentioned concept I laid out, I was more suggesting the AZA aquaria or parks taking on the young whales who would need a very long-term home, and the Canadian government/AZA facilities/other private interests or charities funding the continued feeding and upkeep of the Marineland elder whales as essentially a hospice sanctuary. I think that would be more doable, 5 whales per facility is a bit much but more like 2-3 with some with more room taking a greater number is more manageable.

Per CetaBase’s current studbook, Shedd has 8 whales and SeaWorld San Antonio has 10, so they probably are full up (Shedd could *maybe* squeeze in one or two more given the size of their tank). SeaWorld SD and Orlando both have only three or two respectively so I think they could reasonably take on the most (perhaps 4-5 each). GA could perhaps manage two or three, same for Mystic. There are fourteen young captive-born individuals who absolutely need a permanent, long-term home, so that split would probably cover those and maybe a couple more of the wild-captured but younger whales if necessary.

Your suggestion of Minnesota is interesting - they wouldn’t be a bad fit, especially given that they exhibit a lot of far north animals, but I think the tank would probably need to be retrofitted a bit or possibly a great deal (and who knows if they’re willing to do that). I would welcome that though, anything to save these whales.

 

[JVM]

Shedd lost a beluga recently, Kayavak, so I believe they have room for at least one more adult, although they've never had more than eight beluga that I can confirm so maybe they would limit it there.

 

[NAIB Volunteer]

Statement from AZA and CAZA

The most important part is the last paragraph:

"This cross-border collaboration highlights the strength and unity of accredited zoos and aquariums across North America. Together, we are exploring a coordinated rescue effort to enable the safe transfer of as many animals as possible into accredited facilities [emphasis added], ensuring they receive immediate professional care and lifelong welfare."

Joint Statement from AZA and CAZA for Beluga Whale Actions

[Edit] Just realized this has also been posted in the beluga whale population thread too

Also I'll add that lets do attempt to keep any speculation on historic holders as viable solutions for placing individuals out of this news thread.

 

[Aelita]

If they were split up evenly, that would be five whales per park. I'm sure it's doable, but I'm not familiar with the capacities at any of these places. (hyopthetical time) Maybe Minnesota could be convinced to take any in the old dolphin exhibit. (this next one's a gigantic maybe) MAYBE the New York Aquarium could be convinced to put any back into their old home where the sturgeon are now, at least some bachelor males or old timers.

Unless things have changed from 2012 , these are the capacities for the AZA facilities; per USDA standards. Also posted it in the NA thread with its source (Georgia’s 2012 permit)
I’m assuming with the stadium style places (Shedd + SWT) that it’s implying animal residents would be residing in the “front” audience facing section of the habitats as well.

GA-
Mystic - 44
Shedd- 36
SWO- 14
SWSD- 14
SWT- 28