2 belugas, 4 dolphins from Marineland heading to aquarium in Spain

Two belugas and four dolphins from the shuttered Marineland theme park in Niagara Falls, Ontario are being relocated to an aquarium in Spain. This is the fifth move of whales from the park as it offloads all its animals due to financial difficulties. Marineland is currently up for sale and has been unable to afford the care of its animals.

Originally, all 30 belugas and four dolphins were supposed to be sold to an aquarium in China, but the federal government intervened, citing a 2019 law that prohibits whale and dolphin captivity, breeding, and performances. After this move to China was blocked, Marineland threatened to euthanize all its belugas and whales unless the government provided emergency funds. The park then sought help from a consortium of American and Spanish aquariums.

The remaining six belugas at Marineland will soon be transported to an aquarium in the United States. The last captive dolphins in Canada, Echo, Lida, Marina, and Tsunami, are also being moved. They will join belugas Cleopatra and Jelly Bean en route to Spain. These dolphins are the last captive dolphins in Canada.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson blocked the move to China, prompting Marineland to seek help from international aquariums. This marks the world's largest collective move of captive whales, with previous destinations including SeaWorld parks in San Diego and San Antonio, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.