Marineland in Niagara Falls says it cannot afford to care for its remaining 30 beluga whales after the federal government refused to let the animals be exported to a theme park in China, a decision confirmed by Canada’s fisheries minister last week, according to The Guardian.

In a letter to Ottawa, the defunct park warned that euthanasia was on the table without emergency funding by Tuesday. The public outcry was immediate, and the clock started ticking.

Thirty beluga whales remain trapped at Marineland in Niagara Falls.

How It Came To This

The federal denial cited laws strengthened in 2019 to curb the exploitation of whales and dolphins. Keeping the belugas in captivity for entertainment was deemed unacceptable, CBC News reports. Marineland counters that it is fully indebted and lacks resources for adequate care, according to CBC News.

Mounting Losses, Fewer Options

Since 2019, 19 belugas and one orca have died at the facility, intensifying concerns about animal welfare and the urgency of a safe plan, reports The Independent. The park argues there is no domestic facility able to house so many belugas, and that a suitable ocean sanctuary is not yet operational, according to Buffalo Toronto Public Media.

The park is closed and claims it cannot fund the care of its belugas.

What Governments Can Do Now

Ontario has authority under provincial law to seize animals to ensure their welfare and recover costs upon sale of the property, The Guardianreports. The province’s premier signaled willingness to ensure the whales receive “the best life possible,” with practical suggestions to move smaller groups to multiple facilities if necessary.

Sanctuary Plans And The Money Question

A proposed beluga sanctuary in Nova Scotia would provide a larger, more natural environment than any current marine park, but it still awaits approvals and funding before accepting animals, Buffalo Toronto Public Media reports.

Marineland’s care costs are estimated at roughly $2 million per month with little revenue since closure, according to Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Advocates argue the company should bear responsibility for interim care and that governments should coordinate placements or seizure-in-place to buy time.

Canada denied the park’s request to export the whales to China.

What’s At Stake

Belugas born and raised in captivity cannot simply be released. They require specialized facilities, veterinary oversight, and stable funding. With export to China ruled out on ethical and legal grounds by Ottawa, The New York Times reports, the immediate path depends on coordinated action: provincial seizure powers, temporary placements, and a realistic timeline for sanctuary readiness. The decision window is narrow. The consequences are permanent.

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