Marineland, Niagara Falls is one of the largest
tourist attractions in
our region. For the last several years it has been a
major concern of mine.. for the animals at
Marineland is keeping the media involved with this
issue--hopefully to end in action by or
against Marineland in order to help the animals in
distress. A few cases of Marineland:
1) JUNIOR--A young male orca believed to have been held
in virtual isolation in a warehouse
at Marineland, apparently for sale by without a
buyer--for years
until his death..
2) DUKE--When Dr. Spong saw him this male bottlenose
dolphin was swimming
endless circles around and around a tank of inadequate
size that had paint peeling off
surfaces and rust apparent at the pipe joints and bolt
heads.Duke's eyes were almost
closed. His appearance was ragged and tattered, his
demeanor weary.
Dolphin Deaths--Duke
and numerous other dolphins kept at Marineland have
died. Marineland's record is certainly
among the worst of other North American facilities that
keep dolphins captive. --Treatment
of Orca Mothers and Calves--There have been several
births of orca calves at Marineland.
The surviving calves are always seperated from their
mothers at an early age. This is
certain to create severe stress in both mothers and
offspring. Generally, in the wild,
orca females stay together with their offspring for
life...
In his conlusion Dr. Spong reports: It is my
conviction that the animals in the care of
Marineland have suffered for many years. This facility
is an embarrassment to the natural
wonder and beauty of Niagara, and of Canada! The
animals it holds should be relocated to
facilities that provide better care of captive animals, or rehabilitated to a life in the
wild! We NEED to close
the doors of this $$ SLUMZOO $$ once and for all!..
