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Marineland has issued a warning to euthanize 30 white whales if Canada’s federal government fails to offer economic assistance for the struggling amusement park. This grave warning follows the blocking action by the country’s fisheries minister to prohibit the export of the captive whales to a theme park in China.

Mounting Scrutiny and Park’s Decline

The Ontario facility, an amusement park that includes a zoo, aquarium and forest, has faced mounting examination over claims that the creatures are kept in substandard environments. The formerly bustling park, which remained closed for the summer season, is winding down its operations ahead of a potential sale. Earlier this year, legal representatives for the park stated plans to expeditiously remove the surviving creatures from the premises.

Critical Issue for Animal Welfare Advocates

The fate of the park’s cetaceans has long been a pressing concern for advocates who argue the whales ought to be transferred to a protected habitat—though few feasible choices are available. Documents compiled by Canadian Press indicate that twenty whales have perished at the park since 2019.

“Granting the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” the minister added.

Economic Emergency and Imminent Deadline

In an October 3rd letter, Marineland warned that the debt-ridden park is in a “critical financial state” and does not have the means to “provide adequate care for the whales.” The company stated that if the national authorities fail to support the park or permit the whales’ transfer by the specified date, Marineland will “face the heartbreaking choice” of putting down one of the world’s largest groups of confined cetaceans.

“The seriousness of the financial emergency at Marineland cannot be overstated; any further delay jeopardizes the welfare and security of the whales, and we fear we are losing the window to act,” the letter says.

Official Reactions and Legal Powers

Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, said the region will “do whatever it takes” to give the surviving animals the “optimal living conditions,” noting the state of the park was “just terrible.”

According to regional legislation, Ontario has the authority to seize the whales to ensure their safety—recouping any expenses when the park is sold.

Ethical Responsibility and Advocate Comments

“Marineland has spent decades profiting from keeping whales in miserable tanks, and is now owning hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property in Niagara Falls. Marineland has a ethical duty to fund the future care of these animals,” Camille Labchuk, legal advocate of an advocacy group, said in a release.

“The situation didn’t appear overnight,” the advocate continued. “It’s the result of long-term disregard and mistreatment. Marineland’s effort to strong-arm the government into reversing its decision, even suggesting it may kill the whales, is reprehensible.”

Facility’s Position on Whale Welfare

Marineland earlier asserted the whales “receive far better medical attention and constant monitoring than any person in the United Kingdom, or anywhere else,” and that the park, which was inspected “numerous” of times a year, had experts who “care for the animals when they are sick and every effort to save them is made.”

The park additionally stated that for many years, “advocacy groups have sought to equate any creature’s demise with claimed mistreatment by the facility looking after the animals” which was “effective as propaganda” for those organizations to solicit donations.