Tofino, an enormous beluga weighing over 1,500 kilograms, has just become the final captive whale in Canada to be removed from Marineland’s confines. The closed tourist attraction in Niagara Falls, Ont., successfully carried out a significant operation on Monday, transferring 30 belugas and four dolphins to various aquariums in the United States and Spain over several weeks. With these moves, there are now no known captive whales or dolphins left in Canada due to a federal law implemented in 2019, ensuring that no more marine mammals will be kept in captivity.
A specialized team gathered on Monday to relocate the last six belugas from Marineland. Two of the belugas, Yukon and Gimli, are headed to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, while the remaining four belugas — Tank, Odin, Orion, and Tofino — are being relocated to SeaWorld San Antonio. The process involved around 12 individuals using a net to guide the whales, one by one, into slings before lifting them with a crane into tanks on transport trailers.
The emotional farewells between the trainers and the animals were palpable. Taylor-Lee Dell, who had formed a close bond with Odin over the past five years, tearfully expressed her love and bid farewell to the whale as it was lifted out of the water. Dell emphasized the deep connection between the trainers and the whales, asserting that the animals were genuinely cared for.
The move was a culmination of efforts to comply with the 2019 law banning whale and dolphin captivity in Canada, which brought an end to breeding and performances at Marineland. The park faced financial constraints and time pressures, necessitating the massive relocation operation to aquariums in the U.S. and Spain. This marked a significant shift for Marineland, which had a long history of showcasing marine mammals since its establishment in 1961.
The relocation process has not been without challenges, as evidenced by the unfortunate death of Peekachu, a beluga transferred to the Shedd Aquarium, due to severe dehydration. Despite the difficulties, former Marineland trainers expressed mixed feelings about the animals’ departure, highlighting the need for careful planning when implementing laws affecting captive marine mammals. The closure of Marineland’s tanks symbolizes the end of an era for the park and marks a new chapter for these beloved marine creatures in reputable facilities.