Marine mammals 'in distress,' province orders Marineland to fix water system
A months-long inspection of Marineland by Ontario's animal welfare watchdog has found that marine mammals at the tourist attraction were in distress due to poor water quality, The Canadian Press has learned.
The inspection launched earlier this year by Animal Welfare Services is still ongoing, but on May 10, inspectors issued two orders to the Niagara Falls, Ont., park to repair the water system in the pools that house beluga whales, dolphins, walruses, sea lions and one killer whale.
Marineland appealed the order on May 18, denying the animals were in distress, and noting that an unknown number of whale deaths at the park were not related to the water issues.
In an affidavit prepared for the appeal, one of the animal welfare inspectors described the water issues at the park.
"The life support systems for marine mammals at Marineland have been found to be in need of repair, and parts have not been maintained," wrote Alanna Goziaman.
Some details of the ongoing inspection were contained in documents filed with the Animal Care Review Board, a quasi-judicial agency with Tribunals Ontario that deals with disputes and appeals in animal welfare cases.
Goziaman wrote in the affidavit, a copy of which was obtained by The Canadian Press, that the water quality testing equipment in the marine mammal enclosures had not been calibrated or validated as necessary and that the water quality sampling showed results that were "outside of minimum parameters required."
The inspectors ordered Marineland to replace or repair "all broken, inoperable, and/or malfunctioning measuring devices, gauges, sensors and panels on the marine mammal life support systems."
The theme park was ordered to meet "water quality parameters" by May 17.
In its appeal, Marineland said its marine mammals were all under veterinary care.
One of its veterinarians, Sherry Davidson, wrote to Andrew Burns, a lawyer who represents Marineland, saying the park does "not have any animals in immediate distress and that the animals under care are stable."
"We are monitoring the animals and Marineland is taking corrective measures," Davidson wrote.
The park argued the inspectors did not have the proper expertise to evaluate marine mammals, did not examine the animals, and therefore did not have jurisdiction to issue the orders.
The review board adjourned the case to June 8, but Marineland owner Marie Holer withdrew the appeal the day before.
Marineland did not respond to several requests for comment.
The affidavit includes a series of email exchanges between Burns and Mike Draper, a regional supervisor with the inspection team.
On May 9, Burns wrote to Draper that Marineland was unaware of any concerns the ministry had. He said the government's water system review, a 65-page report, was "actively and intentionally concealed from us" until May 5.
"You have been aware that the inspectors have been specifically concerned with water quality for months," Draper wrote back to Burns.
"These concerns were first identified in February and an order was issued respecting coliform testing as well a letter of non-compliance was issued respecting low pH."
Burns also addressed the issue of the whale deaths at the park.
"None of the whale deaths were determined to be related in any way to any water issues," Burns wrote to Draper. "That is unequivocal fact. Each death was subject to extensive medical examination and a full necropsy as required by the Act."
Marineland did not say in the documents how many whales have died. Both the province and Marineland did not answer questions about the deaths.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.