The notorious marine park is already facing a criminal charge for unlawfully using dolphins in shows, which carries a fine of up to $200,000 upon conviction. It has been illegal since 2019 to use whales and dolphins in performances for entertainment in Canada, after Parliament passed groundbreaking new laws aimed at phasing out whale and dolphin captivity nationwide.
New video from Marineland’s opening weekend reveals that the marine
park continues to hold dolphin shows, despite a national ban on this
practice. Animal Justice obtained footage of dolphins being used in
performances over the weekend, including trainers clapping to the
beat of high-energy pop music, dolphins pushing a trainer through
the water, and dolphins performing various tricks including jumping
and flipping through the air.
The notorious marine park is already facing a criminal charge for
unlawfully using dolphins in shows, which carries a fine of up to
$200,000 upon conviction. And Animal Justice has filed a new
complaint with Niagara Police regarding the footage from the 2022
opening weekend, and police have confirmed that they are
investigating the dolphin shows.
It has been illegal since 2019 to use whales and dolphins in
performances for entertainment in Canada, after Parliament passed
groundbreaking new laws aimed at phasing out whale and dolphin
captivity nationwide. It is now illegal for Marineland to obtain any
new whales or dolphins, breed the ones already held in captivity,
and use whales and dolphins in performances for entertainment.
The new law did not stop Marineland from holding dolphin and beluga
shows, describing them as “educational performances”. Animal Justice
filed a police complaint last year, and after the park closed for
the season, Niagara Police charged Marineland with unlawfully using
dolphins in a performance for entertainment. Marineland was in court
last week to face the charge, and will appear next on June 29, 2022.
Marineland has long been criticized for the conditions at its
facility. Provincial animal welfare authorities issued multiple
orders against Marineland last year, after a lengthy investigation
determined that marine mammals at the facility were in distress due
to poor water quality.
Authorities are also investigating a separate legal complaint filed
by Animal Justice over the apparent distress and suffering
experienced by Kiska, an orca whale confined by herself in a tank
for the past decade. Multiple videos have shown Kiska floating
listlessly, thrashing her body against the side of her tank, and
swimming endlessly in circles. It is unlawful under both federal and
provincial law to cause suffering or distress to an animal,
including psychological suffering or distress.
Thanks to your support, Animal Justice will continue to working to
protect Kiska, the dolphins, and other animals still held at
Marineland. Please join us.