Marineland transitioning to new ownership ahead of 2024 season
Marineland is transitioning to new ownership ahead of its 2024 season, the park has confirmed
In a statement to CTV News Toronto on Monday, a spokesperson for the Niagara Falls aquarium and amusement park said it was not yet under new ownership but that a transition is underway.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“As Marineland prepares for a strategic evolution and redevelopment plan that will occur under new ownership, the park will be focusing on core attractions and experiences this season, and offering guests a substantial discount on admission, to recognize decades of community support for Marineland and John and Marie Holer,” the statement read.
“While Marineland now looks with promise to a new future, we thank our guests, employees, and community for their continuing support as we complete this necessary evolution," it continued,
The facility opens for the season on June 28. After that, the park will operate seven days a week through Labour Day weekend.
Two months after the deaths of 14 whales and a dolphin at Marineland came to light, Ontario has refused to make public any steps taken to improve animal safety at the park, as critics demand action and transparency. A dolphin jumps out of the water as it performs during a show at Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, June 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
In the last five years, 17 whales, one dolphin, one harbour seal, one grey seal and two California sea lions have died at the facility, according to the province.
Three other belugas from Marineland also died after they were sold to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut in 2021. Mystic said the two of those deaths were due to pre-existing conditions.
Since 2020, the park has been under investigation by Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor. The ministry has since declared the facility's animals in distress due to poor water conditions.
In a statement released last month, following the deaths of two belugas, Marineland said independent necropsies confirmed the whales died from torsion, or an abnormal twisting of the stomach.
"All the whales are under constant weekly supervision and oversight by the government regulator and cared for daily by in-house vets and numerous external consultants," the statement said.
"The reality is that all animals eventually die from one cause or another whether in the wild or captivity."
Last month, Marineland was found guilty under the province’s animal cruelty laws over its care of three young black bears. The park kept three bears in cramped quarters with little access to water and no climbing structures. Sentencing in the matter is set for August.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Custom baseball card released of Blue Jays fan struck in the face with foul ball
Liz McGuire, the Blue Jays fan who was struck in the face with a 110 m.p.h. foul ball last week, has been pictured on a custom baseball trading card applauding her fandom to the game.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
Pro-Palestinian protesters expected to meet with U of T administration
Pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the University of Toronto campus are expected to meet with school officials today.
Are you a loud snorer? You could have sleep apnea
You'll have a lot more energy throughout the day if you get a good night's sleep, but not everyone does due to a medical condition.
Beer Store planning to 'thrive and adapt' as Ontario announces changes to alcohol sales starting this summer
The Beer Store says it is looking forward to the next stage in its “evolution” as the province rolls out an accelerated timeline for expanding retail alcohol sales in Ontario.