ABC
A bankrupt amusement park threatens to euthanize 30 belugas
Marineland, the Canadian theme park criticized for how it treats animals in captivity, has threatened to euthanize 30 belugas if the federal government does not provide emergency funding. The park, which also houses a zoo, closed to the public last year and says it lacks resources to care for these cetaceans. Marineland had requested an emergency cash injection before October 7; the government denied the move to ship the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said that exporting the belugas would perpetuate the mistreatment of these animals. Since 2019, Marineland has seen 20 whales die (one orca and 19 belugas). A prior inspection before the park's permanent closure found all animals in danger due to poor water quality. The minister added that while whales should live in the ocean, some experts warn that captive-born marine mammals cannot be returned to their natural habitat without thorough planning, as they often lack hunting and social skills
