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

Canada’s final group of captive whales will depart the country on Monday as six belugas from Marineland are being transported to two U.S. aquariums. The Niagara Falls, Ontario theme park is up for sale and cannot afford to maintain its animals any longer. According to Andrew Burns, Marineland’s adviser, "There will no longer be any beluga whales or any other type of whales in captivity in Canada at the end of today."

Two of the belugas will head to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and four to SeaWorld in San Antonio later on Monday. This marks the largest collective relocation of captive whales in history, with Marineland shipping 30 belugas and four dolphins to five different aquariums over six moves. Canada banned whale and dolphin captivity in 2019 but exempted the animals at Marineland.

The ban also prohibited breeding, forcing the park to separate its male and female belugas and end performances. The park, once a popular tourist attraction, has struggled financially since John Holer’s death in 2018, leading to the deaths of several marine mammals. Despite the challenges, a consortium of U.S. aquariums has stepped in to help Marineland relocate its remaining whales.