Former beluga trainer Kristy Burgess is advocating for the immediate relocation of Marineland’s belugas due to deteriorating conditions at the Niagara Falls, Ont., park. Burgess, who witnessed the euthanization of a young beluga in February, condemned Marineland’s threat to euthanize all remaining 30 belugas if emergency funding is not obtained, calling it a manipulative tactic.
Highlighting the park’s crumbling infrastructure, understaffing, and lack of resources, Burgess emphasized the urgent need to transfer the captive whales to a safer environment. The deteriorating state of the belugas’ pools, Arctic Cove and Friendship Cove, was described by Burgess as alarming, with peeling paint and falling concrete posing risks to the animals’ well-being.
Additionally, maintenance issues with the water system have hindered crucial medical treatments for the whales, forcing trainers to take unnecessary risks. Despite multiple attempts to seek comments from Marineland regarding Burgess’s allegations, the park did not respond.
The federal government’s refusal to grant export permits for relocating the belugas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China has left Marineland financially strained. Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson cited concerns about the welfare of the belugas in captivity, leading to the denial of the export request.
Burgess urged Thompson to reconsider the decision, emphasizing the dire situation faced by the belugas at Marineland. The ongoing political debate between federal and provincial authorities regarding the welfare of the belugas has further complicated the situation.
As investigations into Marineland’s compliance with animal welfare laws continue, Burgess shed light on the challenges faced by the park’s staff, including long hours, low pay, and emotional strain from the loss of several marine mammals. The ban on breeding imposed by the federal government has also impacted the belugas’ social dynamics, leading to increased aggression among males.
Burgess’s account of the conditions at Marineland and the welfare of the belugas underscores the urgency for swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of these animals. Despite the park’s financial struggles and the looming threat of euthanasia, Burgess remains hopeful for a resolution that prioritizes the welfare of the remaining belugas.