Inuit-led solution aims to avoid killing of Marineland’s 30 belugas
Jason Etok calls for whales to be released into Arctic water to save them from financially troubled amusement park
A beluga whale swims in a tank at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ont., in a 2023 photo provided by World Animal Protection. The financially troubled amusement park says it will be forced to euthanize its 30 belugas unless it receives government financial support because it can’t afford to keep them any longer. (Photo courtesy of World Animal Protection)
A Nunavik man says Inuit leaders should step in to provide habitat to 30 beluga whales at Marineland that are at risk of being euthanized because the amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont. can’t afford to keep them.
Jason Etok, who lives in Montreal but grew up in Kangiqsualujjuaq, suggested the whales can be reintegrated into the wild in areas such as the Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay or the St Lawrence River.
“I believe they could survive if they were to be put into the wild with the assistance of trainers that could provide them with nourishments or maybe guidance,” Etok said in an interview Monday — as the clock ticked down on Marineland’s warning.
The Niagara Falls amusement park asked the federal government in a letter Friday for financial support to care for the belugas, warning that it will be forced to euthanize them if it didn’t receive aid by Oct. 7.
That came after Marineland’s permit to export the begulas to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a theme park in China, was denied by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The 2019 Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act bans the keeping of whales, dolphins and porpoises in captivity or for being used for entertainment. The federal government can issue permits to import and export the mammals only for scientific purposes or if it’s deemed to be in the animals’ best interests.
In an Oct. 1 statement obtained by Nunatsiaq, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said her decision follows the regulations in the Fisheries Act to protect marine mammals from exploitation.
“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity [for the whales] and a return to public entertainment,” she said.
Etok’s idea, though challenging, is not impossible, said Tommy Palliser, executive director of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board, which oversees the co-management of wildlife in northern Quebec.
“It would be a challenge if they’ve always been living in captivity, but belugas are said to be one of the smartest mammals,” Palliser said in an interview Tuesday.
“It would be interesting to see if there’s any chance they would survive.”
Palliser said the whales could be added to stocks in regions that are in decline.
The Eastern Hudson Bay stock of belugas is designated threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
“It would be interesting to release these 30 belugas and help repopulate these Eastern Hudson Bay belugas,” Palliser said.
Palliser said if Marineland’s belugas were relocated to Hudson Bay, the whales would be eligible to be hunted by Inuit, under the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims agreement. But that risk would be fairly low because the beluga harvest is regulated, he added.
The Nunavik wildlife board, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have been managing the Eastern Hudson Bay Stock by reducing harvest levels and closing key areas.
If Marineland were to take that option, Palliser said arrangements would need to be made with Makivvik Corp., the Inuit organization that protects the rights and interests of Nunavik Inuit.
Nunatsiaq News reached out to Makivvik to ask if it would take the whales under its care, but the corporation hadn’t responded as of Tuesday afternoon.
In response to Marineland’s request for funding, Thompson said in a letter Monday the responsibility to care for the whales falls on the amusement park.
“The fact that Marineland has not planned for a viable alternative despite raising these whales in captivity for many years, does not place the onus on the Canadian government to cover your expenses,” she said.
Thompson encouraged Marineland to work with the province of Ontario to address its concerns about the welfare of the whales.
Under the Ontario Progressive Animal Welfare Services Act, the provincial government can intervene, remove the animals and ensure they receive proper care.
Thompson said she remains open to consider any other permit requests if they are in the best interest of the whales.
In an email statement to Nunatsiaq on Tuesday, Marineland did not address the idea of releasing the whales into the wild but said it’s working with the provincial government “to find a suitable solution that ensures the health and wellbeing” of the belugas.
I have seen belugas in st Lawrence give these 30 a chance to live out their lives free and care for them
Tag them and release as suggested. Better than euthanizimg them or starving them. Give them a chance to return to nature with some supervision.
I agree that giving the beluga whales a chance to yransition to like in the wild is the best option. It can be expected they may not ALL survive, but surely some will. Tag them and follow their movements. See if they can integrate with other pods or if they can act as their own pod. At least we’d know then whether it can be done.
I agree, now that they are done amusing selfish people. Give them a chance to live free
I agree. Let the Belugas go free. See if even people all over the world want to “Adopt” a Beluga on line. Just need a little bracelet or something that pairs up with a particular Beluga like they with elephants, dolphins, turtles and other sea life. Give the world a chance to get first hand information on where Belugas go for different seasons, to mate, to raise their young, how other Belugas help one another, if they do, do they travel in large or small pods, will they adopt an orphan Beluga and raise as it’s own etc., etc. Their is so much information that everyone could learn from a program like this. It’s probably more cost effective then euthization and a lot more HUMANE!!
That’s a brilliant idea. I’m sure there are many out there who would like to adopt a beautiful Beluga. They are extremely intelligent and stand a good chance of survival in the wild with monitoring. Has to be the better option for them.
Several sanctuaries have already offered to take them but they would rather kill them, then pay for the transportation. Our “kind and compassionate” government hasn’t done a thing and probably won’t. One sanctuary that offered and is here in Newfoundland in a blocked off and sheltered harbour, the ideal spot for them considering that wild belugas often turn up here.
There is an organization Fahlo who does exactly this. They have bracelets for different creatures and they make it possible to track their movements and even have up-dates at times on the particular animals!! Someone should try and contact them.
Great idea came you contact onnuir leader about thi s? Cam we form a support grou I’m in!!!
Yes I agree. If you were an innocent prisoner wouldn’t you want to be given the chance to taste freedom! If they are released and fed I am sure, due to their intelligence ,they would return to feed until they become independent. Hopefully they do become independant. It’s better than going another “entertainment facility” in China where their lives would still be prisoners in tanks.
I say take the chance and let them be free!!!
Marine land has made millions of dollars on these animals and now they are trying to back out
No, the government should not help Marie land marine land has to be held liable immediately to relocate these whales into a sanctuary or into the Inuit territory
Their licenses should be taken away permanently and heavy fines must be imposed and carried through
This is like closing down a zoo they have to take responsibilities. Damn greedy people.
Hold them liable for the lights of these animals in Canada no butts and if!
I will government must not give in !!!
INTO THE CANADIAN WATER, HIS ANIMALS SHOULD GO INTO THE CANADIAN WATERS. THESE ANIMALS MUST GO SAFELY.
I absolutely agree. They have few predators and are intelligent. It’s better than the alternative.
My heart breaks and goes out to these beautiful helpless living water Belugas. They are a gift to our earth and water creatures have been around forever. But becoming distinct because we the humans, the biggest predators of all are destroying what beauty we have in this world, taking life for granted. They deserve to live and remain protected in waters where no one can legally capture, kill or hunt. This captivity should never have been legal to begin with. All of Our future children in many years to come should have the experience of seeing them in the wild as we do. But I believe it’s not too late to do the right thing and change our ways for the better. Society must come together and stand up for the rights of all the vulnerable animals that we the humans have put at risk for our own gain. Let’s set things right! Once and for all. Let’s save the Belugas. Free them, release them, protect and assist their survival independence. Put strict laws in place for future generations. Times have changed and so must we!
They’re good eating.
Like polar bear, walrus.
The wild are good eating for sure but I would not eat these captured one…who knows what they fed them and injected in them.
Release them in the wild….they deserve that.
Why release them
We don’t know what they were injected with or what sickness they must have in the marine land tanks that they hold them in that the beluga have been dying
If they are release and end up in the north and be eaten what kind of injections they had may transfer to the people who catches them
That’s dark Ned:) How about a play toward eco tourism…. Would the tribes involved consider a ban on hunting them I wonder if it meant a greater influx of tourism and maybe some Global Heritage site like monies? I wonder:)
Yes, but be careful eating polar bear or any bear meat. Trichinosis is common.
Cook them and you’re fine
Their numbers are declining, in the St. Lawrence due to shipping strikes & in the Arctic & Hudson Bay (as reported by the Inuit). Release them into Hudson Bay under the management of the Inuit program already in place.
Its a no brainer to release the Bulugas into the ocean. Assist them to adapt to the wild. They dont deserve a death sentence.
Diane
I am extremely proud of you! In your statement you eloquently nailed it! Protecting the whales are our focus! Please keep pushing all to find a safe home to protect these whales. Great job! Let me know what I can Do? “There is POWER in numbers and there is Power in unity! Thanks Alan
100 percent agree with you Diana!
The time has come for a paradigm shift.
Protect these beautiful belugas and end the exploitation once and for all!
These animals should not be hunted and killed. Surely these majestic and intelligent creatures should be able to enjoy their freedom and not be terrorized by people with no empathy whatsoever who just love to kill.
We Inuit don’t have a love to kill as you say
we hunt for eating because it’s good for us and nutritious
Because the store meats are so expensive
Please do not kill these beautiful animals
Set them free and monitor them, they deserve freedom not death
Humans ( not all) are the problem not any animal.
Please set these creatures free, and monitor them,
They deserve freedom not death.
Any animal should be able to live in their natural habitat 😀😀😀.
Mankind does it again.
It is shameful to keep any marine life in containers.
Yes it was a private family. I don’t think they realized how th9s would harm these beautiful animals; what is wrongs the lack of forethought on the part of the owner s
Now we must beg Our Lord to intervene and soften the hearts of those who are not willing to allow other organizations pr countr8es or cultures to help
. Killing the animals is not the best answer. ONTARIO GOVERENT WORK WITH THE INNUIT PEOPLE WHO CAN TEACH THE WORLD ABOUT BELUGA WHALE, CONTACT THE AMERICANS, NIAGRA Falls which as a city is falling apart and would do well with helping with money , with events, etc tp help the whales. Asking our president if he would donate to help these animals and the Innuit people
How do they justify having such a huge number of beluga whales? What was the motivation? Two or three or five, maybe, but 30?!! Ridiculous.
Yes it was a private family. I don’t think they realized how this would harm these beautiful animals; what is wrong is the lack of forethought on the part of the owner s
Now we must beg Our Lord to intervene and soften the hearts of those who are not willing to allow other organizations pr countries or cultures to help incthis situation.
. Killing the animals is not the best answer. ONTARIO GOVERENT WORK WITH THE INNUIT PEOPLE WHO CAN TEACH THE WORLD ABOUT BELUGA WHALE, CONTAC TtTHE AMERICANS, NIAGARA Falls which as a city is not doing well in tourism or economically well as anand would do well with helping with money , with events, etc tp help the whales. Asking our President if he would donate to help these animals and the Innuit people .; whio could forn an organization to help the whales, provide learning and thereby tourism throughout Ontario and beyond. I join and support efforts like these.
The issue is these are Russian belugas. I don’t know many scientists that would actually think it’s a good idea to mix the genetics with a Canadian population. Also a lot of the Marineland whales were inbred or have questionable genetic diversity and hypothetical of course- if they were hunted the meat is useless given a lot of these animals have received medications.
Are you claiming that “Russia” belugas are a distinct species, or that they are somehow significantly different from belugas in Canadian waters?
Not separate species, but they are different “Designatable Units” (DUs).
DUs are a step below “species” and exist because different beluga whale populations have unique genetic, geographic, and behavioural characteristics, such as distinct migration patterns and habitat use, which makes them evolutionarily significant and warrant separate conservation efforts. You risk introducing new disease and pathogens, bad genetics, and a plethora of other issues when introducing stock from another DU… let alone one known to be inbred.
There’s several reports on this from COSEWIC themselves.
Russia waters are really not that far from Canadian waters.
Whales travel a long distance.
It really isn’t going to make a difference that far north for the whales to be put in the water.
They likely cross paths many times.
The beluga needs to be saved and that is the next best choice besides getting killed.
We owe them life!
All whales come from distinct areas, these being Russian may not integrate into a local pod or know how to “speak” the language of local pods, therefore resulting in fighting, rejection and injuries. They also do no know how to hunt or live in the wild. I think whatever money Marineland has left if any should be completely taken away to care for these animals as well as the two orcas and dolphins in Marineland France. You cannot just throw them into eh wild and expect the best. That’s a death sentence.
Kristy Lynn: Have you ever heard of “hybrid vigor?” Introducing new genetic material could be a lifesaver.
I hope they truly do but in the end it is about greed and $$$. I cannot believe that in 2025 we are STILL moving backward instead of forward…beyond sad and barbaric…
The Wales are all sick and not healthy at this point even in the wild there not going to integrate with another pod they tried this somewhere year’s ago with the one from Free Willy and they died alone in the wild
There is 30 of the beluga.
They will not die alone in the wild.
Being released is better than them all dying in a cement cage!
Least this way they get to be free and experience life before death.
They need to be released!
No more jail!
There is trainers that can help them to adjust to living in the wild.
I agree much more humane and less problematic.
Just returned from whale watching in Tadoussac on the weekend and there were quite a few belugas. The air temperature was 14C and the water temperature was 4C . These 30 belugas could likely integrate there much easier and may learn behaviours from the whales already there.
As a former teacher, lesson 101- The “Whale Jail” Rescue: Where there is a will, there is a way.
In 2019, an international rescue mission worked to free 97 orcas and belugas from illegal captivity in cramped pens for illegal sale in China, in a bay near Nakhodka, Russia
The Operation:
The whales were transported by truck and boat to the Sea of Okhotsk, their original capture area, and were reportedly returned to the wild in stages.
International Collaboration:
The operation involved a collaboration between Russian and international scientists, including the Cousteau Society and The Whale Sanctuary Project, to provide expertise and ensure the whales’ successful rehabilitation and release. Wild whales helped by accepting the released orcas and belugas into their pods, with some observed hunting and feeding together. This integration indicated successful rehabilitation, showing that the captive whales could find their original families or new groups in the wild.
The wild whales and mammals helped the new, inexperienced whales adapt and learn the ways of the ocean. The released orca, Vasilievna, was spotted hunting and sharing food with a wild orca pod.
How Wild Whales Contributed
Integration into Pods:
After release, some captive orcas and belugas were seen rejoining wild whales. The wild whales and mammals helped the new inexperienced whales adapt and learn the ways of the The released orca, Vasilievna, was spotted hunting and sharing food with a wild orca pod.. Animals not even in the same species have this intuitive desire to help.
Sharing Food:
Observations showed these released whales feeding alongside wild pods, a critical sign of social integration and successful adaptation to the ocean.
Demonstrated Success:
The ability of the rescued whales to integrate with wild groups confirmed that the rehabilitation efforts were successful and that they could survive in their natural environment.
Thank you Ms. Barber for your in-depth reporting. Let’s get it done!
I’ve been a scuba diver for thirty plus years, I have interacted with these animals in the wild as well as hump back whales. These animals are very smart. I would release them near another pod of baluga whales. I have no doubt they will team up and learn to survive with no problem. Set them free!
These belugas have already been through enough, they certainly deserve a better life than what they’ve been given. They need to be somewhere where they can live peacefully and without the threat of being hunted. The longer the indecision on where to relocate these precious belugas, the longer they continue to suffer. Thank goodness to the workers who continue to feed and care for them in the mean time.
Of course the intruders knows best, not the masters of their land and animals.
You spelled conquerors wrong
It’s not about spelling, it’s about destroying part of Nature. Let’s be positive or abstain from this type of comment.
So…… the “masters” have experience with relocating domestic animals to the wild do they?
Release in the north , so we can eat them later.
Quite a few people on this thread have voiced reasons against returning these beluga to the wild. One said releasing them into the St. Lawrence should not be considered – mainly because of the habitat there being carcinogenic, and ship strikes being likely. [Yes, the habitat in the St. Lawrence, near the mouth of the Saguenay, is carcinogenic. However, 30 belugas introduced halfway through their lives would likely not develop life-ending cancers. As for ship strikes, this has particularly been a problem in recent years for Right Whales, which are larger and less able to avoid being hit.] Another commenter suggested the beluga should not be relocated to more northerly locations (Ungava Bay and Eastern Hudson’s Bay) where they’d likely be hunted – due, that person suggested, to veterinary meds the belugas have been given making them unfit for consumption. [THAT may or may not be true. Wildlife biologists need be involved to determine whether the flesh of these belugas is or isn’t safe to consume. If so, they should be relocated to Eastern Hudson’s Bay (also depending on whether their genes are considered ok to mix with those of the resident population of belugas). If their flesh is NOT considered safe to eat, the 30 should be relocated to the St. Lawrence. As for whether domestic animals introduced to the wild could survive (with monitoring & human assistance), we could consider the fact that one Narwal has been found to have joined the St. Lawrence belugas and managed by association to learn how to feed and survive. I’d say that gives our 30 belugas some chance to likewise adapt and live out the remainder of their lives.
I was against releasing them to Hudson Bay since the Inuit just want to hunt them as they hunt every species to extinction – but you just sold me on it.
I think your disparaging remarks about Inuit hunting is inappropriate and unsupported by fact. Inuit are primarily subsistence hunters particularly in species that have little commercial value.
Nature finds a way.
Marineland has made billions in over 50 years. Asking for a bailout is just disgusting. Threatening to euthanize because the government won’t give you money all out black mail
Shame on Marineland! As long as there was profit they cared, now they are disposable. What a selfish world we live in. $$$$
I agree!!
Why do they have 30 beluga whales in the first place???
Just because Marineland made money doesn’t mean they still have money. This was a business with big overheads and salaries and now with no income and $1million a month to feed these creatures it is not surprising that the enterprise is broke. Corporations don’t hold on to their profits …. they distribute their profits to shareholders as dividends on the shareholders’ original investment.
Ever tried to borrow money when you have none and are unemployed? The government regulated the operators out of business, rightly or wrongly, but as a result the company has to dispose of it’s assets which the government also blocked.
Business fail all the time. Marineland is a failed business. It’s product became unfashionable and lost the public appeal it once enjoyed.
This is the message I’ve been trying to get to Doug Ford and others. SET THEM FREE in whatever environment would be good for them. Although they have been in captivity, animals/mammals are amazing creatures that can adapt if they have too. Give them a chance. They have a brain and a heart and feelings just like us Do not euthanize them. SET THEM FREE.
Please please please help to do this. Thank you Jason for having a heart.
Unfortunately, there is almost no chance that these animals will “rewild.” They are conditioned to being fed by humans and have no reason to catch their own food. These are not youngsters ready to learn new tricks; the Belugas were acquired between 1999 and 2008, with a few born in captivity.
The last time Marineland released a whale to the wild it did not end well. Keiko, an Orca made famous in Free Willy, was released in 2002, had to be fed by humans in Norway, and died in 2003.
This “solution” is emotionally appealing, but about as practical as releasing tame lions in Africa. Large predators raised in captivity need to remain captive for their own welfare, or be euthanized. That is not what anyone wants, so we need to prohibit their captivity for entertainment purposes in the first place, which we did, but too late.
These beautiful, intelligent whales need to be slowly integrated back into the northern oceans. My Inuit brothers are right in what they are saying. At least the whales will then have a chance for survival. I am hopeful that this is a plausible solution. Inuit know the land and the waters. If we work together and support these highly intelligent whales in this, it is a possible solution and may be the best option.
I agreee at least give the whales a fighting chance! Would it be feasible to hire some Inuit people and have them slowly integrate the whales into the ocean. Allowing them for a period of time to learn to catch their food and a chance at survival.
Even if nature fails to find a way many creatures will benefit from the decomposition / biodegradation of their bodies.
Animals especially whales are insanely intelligent. Even bears who were hand fed in a Russian Zoo from babies adapted back into the wild. Check out Charlie Russell. People need to stop thinking they are so smart when many cant even understand basic cats and dogs language.
Grumpy: “No reason to catch their own food” and I say, when they get hungry, instinct will kick in and they’ll take up the chase, like a cat with a feather on the end of a stick. I think they’ll finally have some fun!
Free them so precious 💓
Please save these babies they deserve happiness and not held in poor conditions this effects their mental health remember Kiska it was devastating please save these babies !!!!
These beautiful mammals are more precious than politics. They are living creatures with social connections like our own. They do not seek to destroy us. If we seek to destroy them simply for convenience, money, lack of responsibility, or humanity. Then our species and society has lost far more than these innocent souls. We will have lost our own soul.
They are unique to the environments of the artic region, the idea of transporting them to areas alien to their natural water temperature and feeding , is irresponsible and a crime for the years of knowledge about their life cycles . They have a greater right to protection by all of Canada, as any other migrants. More so for they have lived there collectively the longest, and I guess one of the wisest. Respect for such amazing mammals. Protect your own.
I agree! 30 Belugas are more than just one. These living breathing intelligent mammals will need vigilant care if relocated. I believe the more northern area of Hudson Bay for example Ungava Bay, would be mire pristine compared to the St. Lawrence with its human population and boat traffic the natural born Belugas already have issues with.
IF they were to be re-homed, the whales existing environment would have to be revamped slowly to bring the 30 whales up to par with their new environment. Then much care in transporting them without stressing them too much would be the next step.
If they could be released into a natural sheltered area with a removable barricade, this would be the most ideal situation for their overall health and well being to be monitored until deemed healthy enough to remove the barrier to ultimate freedom. Even though the Belugas come from another area of the world, they would probably form their own pod and integrate or not with the indigenous Belugas, but they would have a chance of survival as opposed to euthanasia.
I think they should try and reintegrate them in with a wild pod with observation, tracking devices,etc. Maybe the wild pods would assist these captives to integrate, they’re smart enough. I also think the Inuit community should be involved.. Their smarter than whiteys;they never would capture these beautiful animals for such ridiculous ventures.
Pretty sure, if you read the comments, Inuit would like to eat them.
Right? My community kills more than 30 beluga every year… This is greed disguised as altruism.
Perhaps, eventually, when their numbers have recovered enough to allow managed harvesting via the Inuit program now in place.
This is an absolutely brilliant idea. I am completely behind this.
I just saw this on BBC news. Do not euthanize these intelligent, majestic mammals. Yes, they’re mammals, just like us. They deserve so much better, and the government needs to step in the ensure their health and well-being.
Butcher them and share with folks in the communities. Save some wild whales.
Muktuk with soya sause sounds good.
Bon appetit 🤘😍
Release thede SENTIENT CREATURES back into the waters that ggry were taken from and they will Flourish as Nature is Resilient and Intelligent and provides for life Naturally FOR THEY ARE SENTIENT , NOT OF FORM MIND OR AGRESSIVE TO NATURE BUT HARMINOUS TO NATURE AND PRESENT , THE WAY HUMAN SHOULD BE , AGAIN “SET THEM FREE”
Harvest them and bring it to larga Baffin and Salvation Army
Bon appetit
No, Aputi. Have patience. Free them & allow them to reproduce & increase the population; then you can harvest them carefully & enjoy your muktuk.
I totally agree this idea is great but what dolphins
If euthanized it would definitely benefit us inuvialuit people. Food is expensive up north.
Surely this is a Go Fund Me that people would be happy to contribute to. Hopefully release into the St. Lawrence would not subject them to hunting. If they have been reliant on humans to provide their food, they would be more easily hunted by them, which would defeat the success of freeing them.
Some of these comments make me sick. Eat them? OMG. Heartless People. I told Doug Ford to get them and put them in the St. Lawrence. No natural predators. It is mind boggling that Ford wanted them to go to China to be in captivity forever. That tells me where his mind is.
If these belugas were released into the St. Lawrence, although there may be no predators for them, they would face other monumental challenges.
The existing belugas in the St. Lawrence are endangered. The leading cause of mortality for these wild belugas is parasitic pneumonia in juveniles, cancer and bacterial infections in adults, along with reproductive complications like dystocia, that causes calves to die. This is a direct result of the significant industrial contamination within this river system. The belugas are poisoned to death.
Another leading cause of death for St. Lawrence belugas is direct mortality as a result of human activities including ship strikes from the large volume of commercial ship traffic, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat degradation due to underwater noise.
If these captive belugas were released into this environment, we would expect them to mainly starve. If there was a miracle and they learned how to feed themselves, they would slowly whittle away. Either experiencing slow and painful, or suddenly traumatic deaths due to man-made causes.
Of course, Canada does very little to address these issues for wild belugas in the St. Lawrence River. Instead, our colonial masters in Ottawa assuage and deflect their environmental guilt by creating marine parks in Nunavut for other, robust whale populations.
Seeing how pollution or marine industries will never reach a level to harm existing whale stocks in the Arctic, you could say this is Canada’s dirty little secret; we excel at performative environmentalism.
In the future, it is easy to predict the extirpation of belugas in the St. Lawrence including these tame belugas if released there. This would be similar to the past extirpation of the Atlantic Walrus in PEI, where the world’s largest concentration of Walrus once existed. Or the eminent extinction of the North Atlantic Right Whale.
No amount of post release care or not one more Nunavut marine park will change these sad eventualities.
Avram: Thank you for setting the record straight. So a far northern relocation is the answer, under Inuit conservation management that is already in place.
At least they would have a chance. Better than just killing them
Liberal white women on this thread are insufferable
Muk Tuk Annie , a song about a woman from Frobisher Bay
What euthanasia? Call it like it is really – cold blooded murder! These creatures are defenseless in captivity. They have nowhere to escape, no weapons to fight back. They trust the humans which took care of them and now we want to repay that trust by killing them? Release them! They deserve a chance!
They’ll die out in the wild, imagine dropping off your pet dog in the middle of the forest in its own? It won’t survive more than mayyybe a couple of weeks. It’s a mistake from the government to prohibit to block their export to China. “Unless for the best interest of the welfare of the animal…” Are you telling me that euthanizing the whales is more in their best interest than transferring them to another aquarium? I understand it’s better not to keep these animals locked up for entertainment, but what’s done is done, let’s allow them to live their best best lives (and that means NOT leaving them out to die abandoned in the wild) rather than euthanizing, and simply not being any NEW animals like whales and dolphins into captivity. But the ones that have been raised like this will not live a better life if released out into the wild after years of relying on the human hand that feeds.
!00%
The numbers I have read on relocating wildlife have very low survival rates, and that is real wildlife. These whales are “faux” wildlife. That is a slow miserable death they would endure.
Relocating wildlife is just a fluffy solution for the naive who think the animal has a cane of survival.
Like a 10lb mini daschund surviving the Australian outback for about a year and a half? So mayyybe they’ll survive. Even if not at least they’d get to be happy for once. Sure we can probably live longer in an empty room only having contact with a few other beings for our whole life- but we take the risk knowing we at least have a chance of happiness.
Please people do what is and moral for a change. Euthanasia is not an answer period. Thankyou for stepping up with a solution that is humane. Bless you eh!
If money is the only road block how about a go fund me account to save the whales? And shame on the Federal government for there indifference to the fate of the Wales. This proves they are not woke but merely thieves with no Empathy, compassion or heart. It makes me ashamed to be Canadian…..
I believe releasing the whales is a good idea. A chance to repopulate an at-risk species. Though, I know the next part of my comment may not be popular, but is still an option as well. Even if the whales are not protected by a non-hunting policy for the Inuit community, would still be a benefit. I am not usually for hunting, but in the case of Inuits, I feel that at least if some of the whales, if hunted, would provide food and other uses to the Inuits. The style of hunting used by Inuits is not the same as sport hunting in other regions. They have very different hunting rules, and make use of the entire whale. It would also help them with their scare food issues faced every winter particularly.
“They have very different hunting rules, and make use of the entire whale.”
yea… in your delusional white liberal fantasy world, that’s probably true
Also, to those people saying that the whales would die in the wild, reread the article. With a release to the wild, they would like to work with numerous people/groups to help reintegrate the whales into the wide. Not just dump them in the sea and walk away. I also belive many researchers would want to study the reintegration, which would allow the whales to be watched over and care taken if needed. Or just donate them to the Inuits for use as food, instead of euthanasia, as then they would serve a purpose through their death.
Yes, well said and thank you for your culturally sensitive, intelligent suggestions.
I don’t think the article needs to be reread.
Are you going to fence the whales? Leash them? Have the trainers suggested, ever done anything similar in their lives? Who exactly is qualified to do this bye the way?
You could drive a truck through the holes in this plan.
They tried to release keiko then orca and it was a massive failure. It cost millions of dollars and that was one whale. Most of these belugas were born in captivity and won’t know how to survive. I doubt the dept of fisheries and oceans would approve this plan as the captive whales can carry diseases that wild populations don’t have immunity to and vice versa.
If it was something realistic to be successful I’d agree that it would be a solution.
Just watched CTV news. This option was not even mentioned.
Sad,
ALL WHALES MATTER 🐋
So, here’s a question for all of the people loudly and tearfully clamoring for their release in the wild: these whales have basically been trained to look at humans to provide them food, to go to humans looking for food, and have no fear of humans. What happens the first time they encounter a hunter?
Answer: there won’t be a second time.
They also won’t have the survival skills. It’s not as simple as dropping them in the ocean. They’re not likely to survive.
Shame on the humans who took these animals to lock them away for their own pleasure
Give them a chance to live in better environments and help them do so…….
It’s time to sort the mess humans have caused …
humans have destroyed our world … Give it back to the animals ….
The fact that they felt the need to take so many Beluga whales and have no plan for emergencies via funding is beyond disgusting and greedy.How much money did they make on these beautiful,intelligent ,sentient beings?
Marineland has a to terrible reputation even beyond the US .
Free the tanks! Dolphins and whales have no business being held in captivity and we have known that as a society for decades.
With so many wealthy people in Toronto, if government doesn’t care, hurry up Wealthy people who have so much money that they don’t know what to do with it! Hurry up and save the whales by giving a generous donation! Or take over Marineland!
These beautiful animals should be released back into the ocean where they belong. They should live out their lives free .. humans can be so cruel.
They should release the belugas into the wild with tags saying they are exempt from being hunted for 5 years the meat may not be healthy to eat for some time anyways. Of course I hope they don’t get hunted but that was mentioned in the article. The federal government should help by removing them from marineland.
I doubt the dept of fisheries and oceans would deem them releasable. They don’t have the immunity to wild water and could spread diseases to the wild population. As we witnessed with the unsuccessful release of Keiko it’s difficult to successfully release cetaceans. .Most if not all of them were born in captivity so they don’t have the survival instincts they learn from their mothers in the wild.
I don’t know what the solution is. But this isn’t likely.
The federal government should NOT be held financially responsible for these whales. Marineland has that sole responsibility! They should not in any way be allowed to escape it! I say free the whales. They are intelligent and can be trained to hunt their own food. After hurricane Katrina domestic dogs formed packs and were “wild” within nine months. These 30 white beauties still have instincts. I firmly believe that the Inuit people could benefit culturally by aiding in this venture.
Let’s try, with help from marine experts from around the world there us no reason why it couldn’t work. Let’s try…
FREE THE WHALES EVERYWHERE.
Animal should not be kept in zoos- period, that is not their natural home. When you go to zoos and places like that, you are supporting animals in captivity like a jailed person on chains all the time. Zoos are animal cruelty places.
These hapless childlike creatures were stolen from the sea. Let’s give them a chance to rehabilitate with the help of Inuit elders giving their vast knowledge of their habitat in a special enclosure (that eventually would lead to open waters). It is morally wrong that after trusting humans who used them, not to give them this chance, better than the alternative.
Much as i love the idea of returning them to the wild i have the following concerns : what is the temperature difference between marineland tank and where new home in ocean will be? How available is food? Further- How can we release whales to an area where they may be hunted? These whales think people are their protectors, feeders and friends so there is a high probability most will succumb to fishermen. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel and would be kinder to euthanize than speared and suffer. We conditioned the wild out of them. There has to be a better solution. They deserve more from marineland and Canada than to be discarded and die.
Much will depend on releasing them at a time and place where prey eaten by belugas in the wild is plentifully available. It has to be accepted that some will not survive.
A staged release in confined waters with food supplementation would improve their survival chances.
I don’t agree that the whale should be released. They’ve lived there entire lives in captivity. Yes, they are highly intelligent, but so are humans. How well does a human born and raised in the city do if they’re dropped in the middle of the bush?
It’s just a different form of euthanization, a much crueler one.
I think the best solution would be to convert Marineland to an educational facility for marine biology and oceanography students. It could be supported by the major zoos and the major educational institutions.
That way, oceanography, marine Biology, and students of related Sciences could get actual experience in a way that’s more cost-effective than sending them to the Arctic and more practical and valuable than just looking at pictures and videos. High School in elementary students would be able to see if marine biology or oceanography is something they’d be interested in by taking field trips.
There’s already a precedent in Ripley’s Aquarium.
No
These animals have the intelligence of that greater than a 5 year old. On a comparable scale I can’t imagine the whole world being okay with 30 children being lined up for death in this manner. Or even one single person who would be okay with 30 children being euthanized comparably no one should be okay with these whales dying.
As always Inuit have the best ideas
Marineland and the way they practically threaten euthanizing or else we need money from the tax payer. The owner should be fined and shut down. All their properties seized and liquidated to pay for the remainder of the lives of the creatures they have imprisoned. I know I sound like a crazy vegan or animal activist, I assure you I’m not. If you take on a project for amusement and entertainment to make a profit while using living creatures of any kind. Its your responsibility even if it means selling your mansions and vacation homes to pay for it.
St. Lawrence River is not a good idea. DFO used to dropping bombs on belugas because fishermen didi not like them. Real history..
Why do MALE HUMANS always get what they want, regardless of the results ??????
They have been exploiting & killing animals for too long ! Just for once, think of what you are doing to NATURE . STOP BEING SO CRUEL & GREEDY & SELFISH!!!!!
If MEN would stop interfering in nature’s NATURAL FLOW humans would all be much richer.
FREE THESE POOR ANIMALS & let them live their own lives regardless of what happens.They will have be much better for it !!!!!!!!
Careful, people with below average intelligence tend to generalize complex issues. We wouldn’t want anyone to interpret your comment as a sign of a lazy or mediocre mind.
As long as the wilderness area is a non-hunting area. Would be unfair to release them into a hunting region of the country after they have been conditioned to trust and regard humans as their friends and fans all their lives.
Nothing more shines a light on the evil of “limited liability” like this case.
Marineland is responsible for assuring the care of these intelligent animals until the end of their natural lives. Full stop.
In a rational world, their shareholders would also be charged with that liability. But “shareholders” are of “limited liability”. What an absolute sham.
If there was ever a case for “piercing the corporate veil”, this would be it. We need inalienable rights for creatures who cannot assert their own rights.
In a rational world, all Marineland’s assets would be seized to assure the care for these sentient creatures.
I am delighted that Marineland has threatened to “destroy” the belugas. That should lose them a lot of sympathy in the public eye!
Of course, this is not a sane world, and the belugas are merely property. What a sick world this is.
Cool story, but Marineland doesn’t have ‘shareholders’ … lol
high cost of living. Not sure what food they are given so dont trust the mattak. Heating oil is pricy… I could use some qullik oil to heat my place 😛
Wouldn’t it be nice if some billionaire stepped up and paid to have them relocated back into the wild. What does anyone need a billion dollars for if it isn’t used to do some good. I’m sick to death of the greed and callousness in this world.
The killing of these defenseless intelligent creatures is morally wrong and could result in unforeseen consequences. There is growing evidence that the majority of intelligent extraterrestials are aquatic and some inhabit the oceans of the world. The killing would not go unnoticed and would indicate the very dark nature that humans can manifest. It would be wise to find a solution that does not involve the killing of the belugas.
This has to be the fakest comment section I have ever seen in my history of reading this rag
Asking to release them just so they can hunt them is beyond messed up.
At least euthanasia is painless killing. Hunting them is brutal.
Hypocritical when indigenous people try to claim they are caretakers of nature when they advocate for brutal killing of these intelligent individuals.
Just shows they don’t care about the individual beings.
These beings need sanctuary, and Marineland needs to pay for it.
Don’t kill these whales it’s NOT right. Give them a chance because these ppl ALWAYS do stuff like this and it’s so evil. For all that they could’ve just left them in the sea where they got them from in the first place so just return them to their natural habitat.
Make a thing people can sign to force the government to help them or how people can email the government to ask them to help
We are not GODS and we need to learn to let nature take its course.