⚠️ Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, currently holds over 30 beluga whales, the largest captive population in North America.

Recently, Marineland requested government approval to transfer several belugas to China. When the Canadian government denied the export permit, citing welfare concerns, Marineland reportedly warned that without approval or financial support, they may have no choice but to consider euthanasia due to the cost of care.

We, the Canadian people and the world are calling for full transparency, real protection, and a humane plan forward. One led by marine experts and supported openly, not hidden through quiet deaths.
They sing to each other through the tank walls. Some carry toys on their heads like children. Others float still at the surface, not playing, just enduring.

 

 

These are the beluga whales of Marineland, trapped behind concrete walls in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Some were taken from the wild decades ago. Many others were born in captivity and have never felt the ocean, never tasted wild saltwater, never swum freely, never heard real whale song echo through deep water.

Now, many animal welfare advocates fear that euthanasia may be used if no relocation plans are put in place, not because these whales are beyond saving, but because no proper plan has been made to give them a real future.

This petition is not about blame. It’s about giving these whales a chance.

A chance to live , not disappear behind closed doors.

Why We’re Speaking Out

Between 2019 and 2025, at least 20 whales reportedly died at Marineland, according to Globa News News:

https://youtu.be/x0mYwz0C_UI?si=BsZJbjkA2y-ju7bd

The Ontario Government has confirmed ongoing investigations into animal care conditions, including their belugas:

https://youtu.be/LsCO-vjnKf8?si=neW7bWXfGoyout7X

Canada passed Bill S-203 in 2019, banning the capture and breeding of cetaceans, but it did not guarantee what happens to those who remain in captivity:

https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/S-203/royal-assent

‼️Without a relocation plan, those still alive face a very sad future, if any at all.

Sanctuary Relocation Is Possible

✅ In 2020, two belugas were successfully moved from a Chinese aquarium to an open water sanctuary in Iceland:

https://www.sealifetrust.org/en/beluga-whale-sanctuary

✅Nova Scotia is building a permanent whale sanctuary through the Whale Sanctuary Project:

https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/

✅Keiko, the Free Willy orca, was transitioned from captivity to ocean waters with human care and monitoring:

https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/keiko

🇨🇦If others can do it , why not Canada?

A Call to Indigenous Nations Across Turtle Island

We are also calling on Indigenous Nations, Elders, youth, water protectors, guardians, stewards, community members and knowledge keepers across Turtle Island to stand with us.

Belugas are not entertainment, they are ancient relatives. Whether you know them as qilalugaq, siqsuaq, waabishki mishi or white whale, their songs have traveled alongside our stories for generations.

We ask you: lend your voices, your teachings, and your strength to ensure they are not silenced.

We Call On:

‼️Marineland of Canada

‼️Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

‼️The Government of Ontario

To immediately:

✅ Publicly commit that no beluga will be euthanized unless it is medically necessary and verified by independent marine mammal experts.

✅ Release transparent health assessments, veterinary reports, and mortality records.

✅ Collaborate now, not later,  with accredited sea sanctuaries, marine scientists, and Indigenous communities across Turtle Island whose waters, teachings, and responsibilities are deeply connected to these whales.

 

 

This Is Not Just About Ethics, It’s About Responsibility

Many of us stood at those glass tanks as children. We pressed our hands to the clear glass, staring into their eyes. Some of us fell in love with marine biology because of those very encounters. These whales gave us something , wonder, inspiration, joy. They entertained us. They taught us. And if we were willing to take from them when we were young, then we owe them something now that we are older.

Real gratitude isn’t silent.

If an animal has given to us, we have a responsibility to give back.

We don’t walk away when that responsibility becomes inconvenient.

We’ve benefited from their confinement. Now we must be responsible for their release.

📢🚨 Do not let them die unseen. Sign this petition. Speak for them. Be their voice!

‼️This petition has been made on behalf of : Meeka, Osiris, Frankie, Jasper, Sierra, Caspian, Calypso, Eve, Cleopatra, Jellybean, Lillooet, Tofino, Rain, Bertie  Botts, Skyla, Balor, Gemeni, Neva, Odin, Secord, Yukon, Xena, Orion, Cyprus, Tank, Zephyr, Xavier, Peekachu, Gimli and Acadia.