From 610 CKTB: The season may be over but the pressure remains on Marineland. On November 8th animal rights activists plan to march from the clinic of the park’s chief vet, June Mergl, to owner John Holer’s house. The candle light march is being called “Follow the Money” Marineland March.
From the Toronto Star: Kiska, the killer whale, swims alone in her pool at Marineland, often followed by a trail of her own blood. Her tail has been bleeding off and on since July but has been getting progressively worse, according to Christine Santos, who has been one of Kiska’s primary trainers. She described the…
From the Niagara Falls Review: …In a story published in a Toronto newspaper Wednesday, Demers said the poor conditions and a lack of action by park owner John Holer is what made him quit – and subsequently break a non-disclosure agreement by going public. The public reaction to the report has been significant, with Marineland…
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…
From the Toronto Star: One spring day in 1963, John Holer, the owner of Marineland, found himself on a Lake Ontario beach in a struggle with a 100-pound sea lion. Jeff, a sea lion that had escaped from Holer’s animal park in Niagara Falls three days earlier, sunk its teeth into Holer’s bicep as it…
Someone with a Blogger blog has posted about some early memories of Marineland (including a couple of pictures): …in my opinion John Holer has made two horrendous mistakes in building his empire and getting rich. Above is the Marineland stadium in the late 70’s when it was known as the Wade Burck Stadium. Below is…
From the Niagara Falls Review: The latest addition to Marineland is an anomaly of sorts. Its newest ride features a giant purple octopus with 12 — not 8 — tentacles. The Ocean Odyssey opened at the end of July and, so far, families are enjoying the colourful amusement park ride. “It’s probably the most likeable…
From the Welland Tribune: Green Oaks trailer park residents have lost their bid to have city hall get between them and Marineland owner John Holer, who is evicting 47 families from the Stanley Ave. property. But some say the attention they raised might help Niagara Falls renters in the future. “They don’t want to protect…
From the Niagara Falls Review: Close to 50 families facing eviction from a trailer park owned by Marineland are hoping city council will be their white knight, but councillors themselves are warning them not to pin their hopes on city hall. Council deferred again Monday a decision on whether or not to use a rarely…