Tofino, a massive beluga weighing over 1,500 kilograms, has become the final captive whale in Canada to be removed from Marineland’s enclosures. The now-closed tourist spot in Niagara Falls, Ont., accomplished the largest collective transfer of captive whales globally by transporting 30 belugas and four dolphins to five aquariums in the United States and Spain over multiple weeks.
Following a federal law implemented in 2019, no whales or dolphins are currently held in captivity in Canada. A group of experts convened on Monday to relocate Marineland’s last six belugas. Two of them, Yukon and Gimli, are headed to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while the other four, Tank, Odin, Orion, and Tofino, will reside at SeaWorld San Antonio.
The process involved around 12 individuals wrangling the whales in a net and guiding them into slings before hoisting them into tanks on transport trailers using a crane. Trainers bid emotional farewells to the animals, with Taylor-Lee Dell, who formed a close bond with Odin over five years, expressing her heartfelt sentiments during the departure.
Dell stated that working closely with whales, particularly during a time of rising opposition to captivity in Canada, was a unique experience. She emphasized that the whales were genuinely cared for and loved. According to the park’s adviser, Andrew Burns, the whales would have faced euthanasia if relocation to new facilities was not possible due to financial constraints.
Marineland successfully orchestrated the complex operation by shipping its marine mammals to various destinations, complying with the 2019 ban on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada. This legislation resulted in the separation of male and female belugas at Marineland and the cessation of breeding and performances, marking the decline of the park that was once a popular amusement destination.
The challenging period also saw the passing of animals at Marineland, with concerns raised about the well-being of marine mammals due to poor water quality in 2021. Despite significant efforts to address water issues, the park faced criticism linked to the new law as it navigated the relocation of its animals. Plans for selling the park were set in motion as the property near Horseshoe Falls remained conditional upon the removal of its remaining animals.
Marineland’s attempt to export belugas and dolphins to China was thwarted by the federal government, leading to a consortium of aquariums primarily in the United States stepping in to aid the relocation process. Despite challenges and risks, including the unfortunate death of a beluga at the Shedd Aquarium shortly after the move, former Marineland trainers expressed mixed emotions about the departures.
The relocation marked the end of an era for Marineland, with past controversies and advocacy efforts contributing to a shift in public perception and legislative action regarding whale captivity. As the belugas departed Marineland, reflecting on the park’s emptied tanks, former trainers and activists acknowledged the significance of the transition to reputable facilities for the animals’ well-being.