Last captive whales in Canada to leave Marineland as belugas head for U.S.

Canada's final group of captive whales, six belugas from Marineland, will depart the country on Monday as they are transported to aquariums in the United States. Toronto's Marineland, a once-popular tourist attraction, is up for sale and unable to afford the costs of maintaining its marine life. Andrew Burns, the park's adviser, confirmed that "there will no longer be any beluga whales or any other type of whales in captivity in Canada at the end of today."

Two belugas will travel to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago on Monday, while four more will arrive at SeaWorld in San Antonio later the same day. This marks the completion of the largest collective relocation of captive whales globally, with Marineland having shipped 30 belugas and four dolphins to five aquariums across North America. Despite a ban on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada since 2019, Marineland was grandfathered in, leading to the separation of male and female belugas and the cancellation of performances.

The park's founder, John Holer, passed away in 2018, and his widow, Marie Holer, inherited the struggling business. By early 2024, she sold the park, which faced numerous animal deaths in recent years, including a beluga named Peekachu who died two weeks after her move to the Shedd Aquarium. The government blocked Marineland's attempt to export the whales to China due to concerns over breeding and performances, causing the park to seek alternative arrangements with U.S. aquariums.