https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/marineland-beluga-new-home-solutions-9.6933460

Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to the first outcome that affects a majority (15 or more) of the beluga whales currently housed at Marineland.

• Euthanized: Will resolve to "Yes" if a majority of the Marineland beluga whales are publicly confirmed to have been euthanized due to the park's inability to provide care or secure alternative placement, as reported by major Canadian news outlets (e.g., CBC, Global News, CTV News). This excludes individual euthanasias due to critical illness that may occur as part of standard veterinary care.

• Introduced to the wild: Will resolve to "Yes" if a majority of the Marineland beluga whales are publicly confirmed to have been released into a natural ocean environment, as reported by major Canadian news outlets.

• Sold/given to a park: Will resolve to "Yes" if a majority of the Marineland beluga whales are publicly confirmed to have been transferred to another traditional marine mammal park or aquarium, domestically or internationally, as reported by major Canadian news outlets.

• Moved to a sanctuary: Will resolve to "Yes" if a majority of the Marineland beluga whales are publicly confirmed to have been transferred to a recognized marine mammal sanctuary, defined as a natural or semi-natural enclosed habitat for their permanent residence, as reported by major Canadian news outlets.

Background

Marineland, a theme park and zoo located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has ceased public operations and is currently experiencing significant financial challenges. The park is home to approximately 30 beluga whales.

In 2019, Canada enacted the "Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act" (Bill S-203), which prohibits the capture and keeping of cetaceans for entertainment or breeding purposes. However, it includes a grandfather clause for animals already in captivity at the time the law came into force. Marineland recently sought a permit to export its beluga whales to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, but this request was denied by the federal government, citing the 2019 legislation and concerns that such a transfer would perpetuate their use for entertainment. Following this denial, Marineland publicly warned that it might be forced to euthanize the whales if it did not receive emergency funding or approval for relocation.

Considerations

Experts generally agree that introducing beluga whales raised in captivity into the wild would likely result in their death due to their inability to adapt to a natural environment. While a proposed marine mammal sanctuary in Nova Scotia, managed by the Whale Sanctuary Project, has been discussed as a potential option, it is still in development, awaiting necessary permits and funding. Marineland has also publicly expressed concerns about the suitability of this site. The federal government has indicated it remains open to considering other export requests, provided they are demonstrably in the best interests of the whales and do not involve transfer for entertainment purposes. The Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act in Ontario grants the provincial government powers to intervene and seize animals if their welfare is at risk.