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A captive beluga whale and a bottlenose dolphin have died at Marineland just two months after Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada, died at the same park.
Source: CBC News/Youtube
Although Marineland has not responded for comment, the ministry spokesperson Brent Ross said in an email that Marineland told Animal Welfare Services (AWS) that necropsies of both animals were conducted by professionals.
These two animals were the latest in the three reported deaths of marine animals at the theme park in the last two months. The deaths have sparked outrage amongst animal welfare activists and a continued call to send all animals to sanctuaries.
Kiska, the last captive killer whale in Canada died in March of this year. Kiska was captured in Icelandic waters in 1979, and she died when she was 47 years old. MarineLand said that Kiska’s health had declined weeks before. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) described Kiska as the “world’s loneliest orca,” and the mother had to go through the death of all five of her calves who died before they were seven years old.
Kiska’s death marks the end of captive orcas in Canada after a landmark bill passed in Canada in 2019 that bans whales, dolphins and porpoises from being held in captivity. We wish that Kiska would have been transferred to a sanctuary to live out the rest of her life.
“This is something that needs immediate intervention,” said Phil Demers, a former Marineland trainer-turned-whistleblower.
Sadly, these animals are often taken from the wild and kept in captivity for entertainment, and they suffer immensely. In the wild, these highly social creatures stay close to and travel with their pods. In captivity, they are forced into man-made “pods.” This leads to aggression amongst tank members. This only adds to the depression and physical pain they experience from being trapped in pools far too small for creatures who would swim thousands of miles a day in the wild. In captivity, cetaceans become so depressed they self-mutilate and attempt suicide by trying to beach themselves. In terms of physical health, they don’t get anywhere near enough exercise, and they do not reach the life expectancy they would in the ocean, dying at much higher rates and at younger ages.
Though parks such as the famous SeaWorld try to convince the public that their cetaceans are content with their “spacious aquariums, restaurant-quality fish, exercise, quality veterinary care, and enrichment,” ultimately, profit is the priority. Don’t believe this? Read these 10 Reasons Why Whales and Dolphins Do NOT Belong in Tanks. Sign this petition demanding that the U.S. Congress end marine mammal captivity in the United States. And make sure to sign your local representatives asking them to introduce legislation that fights against the captivity and exploitation of whales and dolphins.
Help free our friends with fins by:
- Not supporting marine parks.
- Taking a Pledge to not purchase tickets from marine parks and sharing this message with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Contacting government agencies and elected officials to request for them to prevent cetacean captivity.
- Signing petitions for cetaceans’ freedom and the end of breeding programs.
- Joining marine activists in peaceful protests for the liberation of cetaceans.
- Checking out what awesome anti-captivity heroes have done.
- Learning why there is hope for the demise of the captivity industry.
- Watching the documentary Blackfish (if you haven’t already) to learn more and investigating SeaWorld’s “Truth Team.”
- Spreading the word through social media (and sharing OGP posts).
Related Content:
- Petition: Demand Marineland Transfer Its Whales and Dolphins to Sanctuaries Immediately
- Marineland Faces Charges Over Illegal Dolphin Shows
- Kiska, The ‘World’s Loneliest’ Orca Dies in Theme Park in Canada
- Lolita the Orca Will Be Released After Over 50 Years in Captivity
- Orca Mom Adopts Pilot Whale Calf and Takes Baby Under Her Fin
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