@suzanagartner
I am sad to share with you that yet another beluga whale has died at MarineLand Canada.
It is going into 4 years since the start of an investigation of animal cruelty that appears to be slow and unmoving. During this time, marine mammals are losing their lives.
There have been 4 whales that have died this year. Since 2019, there have been more tragedies of beluga whales and dolphins that died at Marineland. Finally, the Ontario government stepped in, in August 2023. Marineland was charged and sentenced at a provincial court for failing to comply with orders under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (aka “PAWS Act”). The PAWS Act came into effect to help ensure that animals are protected and treated with humaneness.
I would like to thank the public outcry and people speaking up about the horrific conditions. I also thank animal activists for speaking up and sharing posts and stories of sad, lonely, confined marine mammals being kept in horrific conditions, being fed pebbles and abused. I was personally deeply affected when I read the story of Kiska the whale and wrote about this whale’s plight and sad tragedy in my book, “A Voice for Animals.” But I did not imagine more animals would die!!
According to Wikipedia, Marineland has faced animal cruelty charges over non-marine animals too (fowls, deer, elk, and black bears). Most people are unaware of these other animals at Marineland. According to the Toronto Star, Marineland has been under scrutiny for years due to allegations of animal abuse and neglect. In 2012, eight former employees exposed the inhumane treatment of animals at this park.
I remember when I was a child, Marineland commercials with the song, “Everyone Loves Marineland” while whales and dolphins swam and performed tricks for people. It was supposed to be a happy place. I never asked my mother to visit this amusement park but I recall other families did.
Years later as a parent, I did not take my kids to amusement parks. I knew they exploited animals and used them for profit and entertainment. This recent news of another whale dying is heartbreaking and devastating! These majestic marine mammals are removed from their natural habitats, removed forcefully from their homes and families, and held in captivity for years. They are used for entertainment and profit in “unnatural habitats” where they cannot express their true natures and roam freely. How horrible is this sad reality? It has been happening for so many years but thankfully society is noticing and standing up and it is now socially unacceptable for animals to be used for entertainment in many places around the world. Yet, Marineland and other similar businesses continue to profit from the exploitation of innocent creatures resulting in tragedy. Unfortunately, these innocent animals do not have a voice so we have to speak up for them. Please do not support businesses that exploit animals! Letās help shut it down ā please sign and share this petition: https://lnkd.in/gJARe4ux
Please educate, and share with others, and do not support businesses that exploit any animal.
YOU can do something to stop this vicious cycle. We can be the voices for animals and educate others to not participate in activities that abuse, hurt, and exploit animals. Do your part and research and encourage others to visit wildlife sanctuaries and rescues that save and protect wildlife and other animals. These places need visitors and donations.
In conclusion, although it is difficult to write this blog and my heart aches for the innocent animals that died and those still there, I remain hopeful that Marineland closes permanently. I look forward to the day when younger generations can look back to this time as a sad period in history. In the meantime, animals need us and animal advocates to speak up so that sentiment continues to grow as the public becomes aware of these tragedies and establishments.
Lastly, I want to take a moment to honor and remember these creatures that died at Marineland, and similar āentertainment parksā around the world, and speak up for the closure of businesses that abuse and exploit animals. I look forward to the day when no animal is abused and removed from his/her natural habitat, and we can leave them alone to enjoy their lives and co-exist with humans on earth.