Will Marineland's captive whales be exported?

Yes, Canada's government has conditionally approved a plan to export Marineland's last captive whales and dolphins to U.S. institutions.

What was the deadline for Marineland's export permits?

Marineland had warned that the animals would be euthanized if export permits were not authorized by January 30, 2026.

How many whales have died at Marineland since 2019?

Twenty whales, including one killer whale and 19 belugas, have died at Marineland since 2019.

Home / Environment / Canada's captive whales escape death sentence

Canada's captive whales escape death sentence

27 Jan

•

Summary

Last captive whales to be exported to US institutions.
Marineland received conditional government approval for export.
Animals faced euthanasia if permits were denied.

Canada's captive whales escape death sentence

Canada's last captive whales have received a conditional reprieve from death, with the government approving a plan to export them to the United States. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson met with Marineland officials, the now-shuttered theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to discuss the proposed relocation of 30 beluga whales and four dolphins.

Thompson provided conditional approval for the export permits, stating final permits would be issued upon receipt of required information from Marineland. The park had warned that the animals would be euthanized if the permits were not authorized by January 30, 2026, a deadline that has now passed. Marineland expressed gratitude for the government's decision.

The park is reportedly in discussions with U.S. institutions such as the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, and SeaWorld. This development follows a 2019 law that banned whale and dolphin captivity, although Marineland's animals were grandfathered in. Since 2019, twenty whales have died at Marineland.