Marineland attributes deaths of two deer to activist-triggered stampede

From Niagara This Week: Marineland has temporarily closed its deer park after officials say two people intentionally caused the animals to stampede Saturday, resulting in the deaths of two deer. In a news release issued Sunday, the tourist attraction said “we are deeply disturbed by the shocking incident.” “This has never happened before and our…

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Marineland Welcomes Ontario’s Community Safety Minister’s Announcement Regarding Animal Welfare

From Yahoo! Canada Finance: Marineland welcomes the announcement by Ontario’s Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur in regards to animal welfare and her decision to seek independent scientific advice in the establishment of appropriate standards of care for marine mammals. The wellbeing of our animals and mammals has, and always will be, our first priority. Our…

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N.B. reptiles coming to Niagara

From the Niagara Falls Review: Several reptiles seized from a New Brunswick shop, where police say two young boys were strangled by a python, will soon call Safari Niagara home. Three dwarf caiman crocodiles are expected to arrive at the Stevensville zoo sometime next week. The animals will undergo a 30-day quarantine and then be…

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Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) has completed its report on conditions at Marineland following an unannounced inspection of our Niagara Falls Aquatic park on October 26

From Yahoo! Canada Finance: Investigators concluded the following: Marineland staff and management were open and co-operative. All the water in the pools was clear and clean. None of the animals in the water appeared to be experiencing discomfort. Staff levels were sufficient to conduct the needed training, feeding and maintain cleanliness. All of the animals…

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Ontario government responds to Marineland allegations with crack down on animal abuse

From the Globe and Mail: The Ontario government says it plans to beef up regulations to protect animals kept in zoos and aquariums, including Marineland. Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur made the announcement in a statement this morning ahead of a noon news conference. She says the province will work with animal experts and other…

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Former Marineland staff ‘sickened’ by park’s explanations

From the Toronto Star: Brendan Kelly left after his shift last week as MC of the stadium show at Marineland, and hasn’t gone back. The grinning guy in the bright red shirt who invited children to feed the dolphins couldn’t take it anymore. “I can’t go back now. I just can’t face being that happy…

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Former trainer blasts Marineland conditions

From the Niagara Falls Review: Leaving Marineland broke Phil Demers’ heart. But he had to do it. The 34-year-old animal trainer left Marineland after 12 years, and has gone public with allegations of deplorable water conditions and mistreatment of animals by his former employer. Demers said he made the decision to leave in May and…

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Marineland animals suffering, former staffers say

From the Toronto Star: Larry lies behind bars in a pen, his eyes red and swollen. The harbour seal with “an amazing little personality” who arrived at Marineland about eight years ago is now a shadow of his former self. After repeated exposure to unhealthy water, he has gone blind. Larry isn’t the only sea…

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Safari Niagara in August 2011 (pictures and videos)

I commented the other day that we hadn’t been to Marineland the previous few years. One of the reasons is that we were going to Safari Niagara instead. The kids love seeing the animals, and the play park and splash pad are fantastic. We probably went 7 or 8 times last year. I took some…

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