Sounds there was quite a bit of excitement at Marineland on Sunday! From the Toronto Star: The last day of Marineland’s operating season drew hundreds of protesters outside the Niagara tourist attraction’s gates on Sunday and escalated when about 150 people stormed inside, yelling “shut it down.” Organizers said they hadn’t planned to enter the…
From the Guelph Mercury: The star of an Academy Award-winning documentary on dolphin abuse is urging Ontario to enact laws to protect captive animals, including those at Marineland. Ric O’Barry, a former dolphin trainer turned animal activist, is lending his support to Zoocheck Canada and former park employees who allege animals at the Niagara Falls…
From the Niagara Falls Review: Animal-rights activists are questioning what could and could not have been investigated at Marineland by one of the agencies that oversees the care of animals in captivity. Critics, who weighed in on social media sites, have been left scratching their heads after an official with the Ontario Society for the…
From the Toronto Star: Marineland must “thoroughly update” its water quality protocols to ensure it has a healthy environment for marine mammals in the wake of a Star investigation. In an interim report Wednesday, the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums said studies of water quality logs and animal health records “raise questions” about how…
From Niagara This Week: The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation committee has stopped short of giving Marineland a clean bill of health. A report on findings from an inspection at the Niagara Falls theme park was released Wednesday afternoon. While inspectors who were at the Portage Road park found water quality and staffing…
From the Toronto Star: After an extensive Toronto Star investigation into the treatment of sea life at Marineland, serious allegations are now being levelled about the diet and conditions of its land animals. Casual brutality when animals need to be put down is common and substandard enclosures are prevalent, according to Jim Hammond, the former…
Apparently CAZA and the OSPCA have inspected Marineland. Here are some news reports: Niagara Falls Review – Marineland releases inspection findings Niagara This Week – Inspection reveals ‘no major issues’ at Marineland The Canadian Press (via Canada.com) – No major issues found in inspection, says Marineland Niagara This Week – City adopts wait-and-see approach
From the Toronto Star: The crowd before her roars as Buttercup waddles onto the stage on this late Wednesday afternoon at Marineland’s King Waldorf’s Stadium. The centre of attention, the 900-kilogram walrus twists around and wags her flippers at her trainer’s call, sending people in the nearly packed bleachers clapping and cheering even louder for…
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…
Several news outlets covered the protests at Marineland on the weekend. Apparently there were in the neighbourhood of 400 people outside protesting the conditions. Niagara Falls Review – Hundreds gather for largest ever protest at Marineland CTV News – Animal advocates hold protest outside of Marineland AM980 in London – Marineland Mistreatment Case Mobilizes London…