Another beluga dies at Marineland, Ontario saying little on 4-year probe into park

Another beluga whale has died at Marineland and four years into a provincial probe, Ontario's solicitor general is saying little about the investigation's progress.

The latest beluga death is the fourth in the past year, provincial records show. Since 2019, 16 belugas and one killer whale have died at the Niagara Falls, Ont., tourist attraction, the only place in the country that still holds whales in captivity. And three out of five belugas that Marineland sold to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut have died since being moved there in the spring of 2021.

The current status of the provincial probe is unclear, with little information available on action Ontario is taking, and the most recent beluga death has opposition politicians and animal welfare advocates questioning what they see as a lack of transparency from the province.

A spokesman for Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, whose department is responsible for animal welfare across the province, said Animal Welfare Services has conducted more than 200 inspections at the park.

"As has been demonstrated in the past, Animal Welfare Services will not hesitate to issue orders or charges for animal welfare violations at Marineland," spokesman Hunter Kell wrote in a statement.

That's not enough for the local member of provincial parliament.

"It's awful that these animals are dying at Marineland, but the public has a right to know what's going on there," said Wayne Gates, the New Democrat representative for Niagara Falls.

"We need the solicitor general to come to the table and let's have an intelligent discussion on how we're going to protect the animals."

The public is very concerned about the animals at Marineland, said John Fraser, parliamentary leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.

"The government is making claims that they're visiting frequently, but they're not telling anybody what they're doing and the whales keep dying," he said. "What do they have to hide if they're doing their job?"

Marineland did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The park has long maintained it treats its animals well. Its website says it has "a strong record" of providing for the welfare of its animals and "will continue to prioritize their health and well-being."

Concerning the latest death, the Ministry of the Solicitor General would only confirm that the beluga died in July. Spokesman Brent Ross said two Magellanic penguins also died at Marineland in August.

Ross referred questions about the beluga's cause of death to Marineland, and other followup questions back to the minister's office. Neither Marineland nor the minister's office responded to the questions.