Niagara police say they launched an investigation into Marineland after a complaint was filed about the use of marine mammals in public appearances at the park.
This is the third complaint and second investigation the park has faced in the span of a year. In October 2021, two complaints were made to the police about Marineland’s marine mammal performances. Police then launched an investigation and eventually filed a charge of animal cruelty at the park.
The complaints and charges allege that Marineland violated Section 445.2(4) of the Criminal Code of Canada, the provisions on cruelty to animals, which prohibits the use of captive whales and dolphins in shows for entertainment purposes. Investigators, along with advocates, allege that the park’s shows are for entertainment and therefore violate that provision.
Facing an animal cruelty charge, the park reopened for the season in May.
On Thursday, the Niagara Regional Police Services (NRPS) confirmed that a second investigation has been launched at Marineland.
“In May 2022 we received a complaint about the use of dolphins by Marineland”, spokesman Cst. Phil Gavin said. “That investigation is still ongoing. As such, we have no further information to provide at this time.”
Marineland maintains that they are not breaking any laws and that their presentations are “educational” in nature.
The park has not returned a request for comment, but on its website it says: “Our marine mammals have the power to decide for themselves if they want to participate in each performance, and our plans change based on which animals they choose before each show.” .
Its website also states that presentations involving dolphins, whales, and sea lions are intended to be “entertaining, educational, and moving.”
‘DOLPHINS DANCE PARTY’
One of the complaints filed in November was made by Miranda Desa, a lawyer for Last Chance for Animals (LCA), an animal defense organization based in the United States.
Desa said an LCA member entered Marineland on August 3 and 16, 2021, and observed dolphins “performing.”
The organization claims that dolphins and belugas were made to perform before the public, displaying behaviors not found naturally in the wild.
Desa says the photos and videos were turned over to Niagara Regional Police.
“Last Chance for Animals got footage of dolphins flipping, spinning, as well as having what they called a ‘dolphin dance party,'” he told CTV News Toronto in November.
“[Belugas] they were being fed at the side of the pool in front of observers, and the belugas were being asked to perform tricks, things for food. You can see the people who work for Marineland giving instructions and rewarding behavior with food.”
COURT CASE IN PROGRESS
On February 14, Marineland made its first appearance in a St. Catharines court on the animal cruelty charge following the 2021 investigation.
The park hired Toronto attorney Scott Fenton, who previously
Despite multiple court appearances since then, the crown says it is still awaiting revelations.
Marineland’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 17 in St. Catharines, Ontario.