Ottawa denies Marineland request to export its remaining beluga whales to China
Canada enforces its 2019 ban on whale captivity by denying export of 30 belugas from Marineland, the last captive whales in the country, preventing further exploitation.
- On Oct. 1, 2025, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the federal government refused to grant an export permit for Marineland Canada's 30 beluga whales to China.
- The 2019 Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act banned breeding and entertainment uses of cetaceans, while the Fisheries Act allows import or export only for research or the animal's best interest.
- Records show 20 whale deaths—one killer whale and 19 belugas—at Marineland since 2019, while animal-welfare inspectors have made over 200 visits and issued 33 orders since 2020.
- Facing the denial, Marineland warns of funding shortfalls for animal care, while Joanne Thompson said, 'I would love to see the whales in a sanctuary and allow them to live their lives in a space that really is more aligned with what we know is the best environment for the whales,' and she added that Marineland decides next steps.
- With Marineland closed to the public last year, Saravanamuttoo hailed the export denial as a defining moment, while Phil Demers said he remains worried but hopeful a quick solution emerges.
114 Articles
114 Articles
Canada blocks theme park from sending 30 beluga whales to China
Canada on Wednesday denied a request from a controversial theme park to export 30 beluga whales to China, saying the refusal was necessary to protect the mammals from exploitation. Beluga whales in Marineland. File photo: Ian Irving, via Flickr. Marineland, a now-shuttered tourist attraction near Canada’s iconic Niagara Falls, has faced intense scrutiny for years. The Canadian Press news agency has reported that 20 whales — one killer whale and …
On Wednesday, October 1, Canada denied the Marineland theme park's request for the export of 30 beluga whales.The company asked permission to send these specimens to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom amusement park in China.Belugas are the last specimens of Marineland CanadaMarineland Canada closed its doors in 2024, this after being under investigation by animal welfare inspectors since 2020.According to reports, the marine specimens they had at the time…
Canada committed, on this Thursday (1o), an application to export the remaining 30 whales from the Marineland park of thematic differences to China, arguing that the mammals would be reexplored for human entertainment. In Venezuela, it is already Christmas: Maduro anticipates celebrations in the midst of the political crisis Suspect of crime: a bomb alert leads to flight evacuation between Brussels and Berlin Marineland Canada, a localized park …
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Marineland decries Ottawa decision to bar export of remaining beluga whales to China
TORONTO — Marineland says it is "profoundly" disappointed by the federal government's decision to deny its request to ship 30 belugas to China and the park has "no ability to pay" for their care — with sources adding that means euthanasia is a real p
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