Marineland, a Canadian theme park near Niagara Falls, has warned it may euthanize 30 beluga whales after the government denied its request to export them to China.

Niagara Falls, Ontario — In a desperate and heart-wrenching turn, Marineland, the embattled Canadian theme park just steps from the iconic falls,

has announced it may have to euthanize 30 of its beluga whales—unless the federal government reverses course and allows the animals to be exported to China.

The park’s shocking ultimatum came just days after Canada’s Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson denied Marineland’s request to transfer the whales to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, a massive aquarium in China’s Guangdong province.

Citing a 2019 Canadian law that prohibits the captivity and commercial use of whales and dolphins, Thompson stood firm in her decision. But Marineland now says that unless an alternative is found—and fast—it will have no choice but to start putting the animals down.

“There are no other options. No sanctuary is available. No marine park has the space. And we are out of money,” Marineland wrote in an urgent letter to the Canadian government this week. “We either find a safe, legal home for these whales or we face the unthinkable.”

In a blunt and emotional appeal, Marineland asked Ottawa for emergency financial support to cover food, veterinary care, and maintenance costs for the marine mammals, warning that the park’s financial situation is dire.

“We are fully indebted and quickly running out of funds. We need immediate help, or the animals suffer.”

The aquarium, once a popular destination for tourists visiting Niagara Falls, has been under heavy scrutiny for years following allegations of poor animal welfare, deteriorating facilities, and a long trail of marine mammal deaths.

Since 2019, twenty whales—including 19 belugas and one orca—have died at the park, according to records compiled from internal reports and government filings.

Now, what was once a slow-moving crisis has hit a breaking point.

For Marineland, Chimelong represented what they believed was the final viable option. The Chinese facility, one of the largest aquariums in the world, reportedly expressed willingness to take in the belugas, providing them with a new home, extensive resources, and long-term care.

But the export deal required federal approval—an approval Canada refused to give.

Minister Thompson’s decision, while applauded by animal rights advocates, has now created a high-stakes standoff: uphold the law and risk the animals’ lives—or find a way to help relocate the whales before it’s too late.

“We understand the urgency of the situation,” Thompson said earlier this week, “but we must remain consistent with Canadian law, which clearly prohibits the use of cetaceans for entertainment or commercial captivity. Our commitment is to the welfare of the animals.”

But Marineland is pushing back, saying the law has created a deadly paradox. With no approved sanctuary capable of housing such a large group of belugas and no funds to continue their care, the park claims it is being forced into a corner.

“The ban may have good intentions,” one Marineland official said, “but in practice, it’s sealing the fate of these animals.”

The news has sparked outrage across Canada and beyond. Animal rights groups, while staunchly opposed to captivity, are now racing to prevent the park from carrying out euthanasia.

“This is an engineered crisis,” said one prominent activist. “You can’t hold these whales captive for years and then claim killing them is the only way out.”

Public reaction has been swift and emotional. On social media, #SaveTheBelugas began trending within hours of the announcement.

Some called for government intervention to relocate the whales to ocean-based sanctuaries in the U.S. or abroad. Others accused Marineland of issuing a threat to manipulate public opinion and pressure Ottawa.

“They’re holding these animals hostage,” one user wrote. “This is not rescue, this is extortion.”

But behind the public outcry is a grim reality: caring for dozens of beluga whales is an extraordinarily expensive endeavor. Feeding alone costs thousands per day, and specialized veterinary care, tank maintenance, and staffing only add to the financial burden.

With dwindling visitor numbers, rising operational costs, and mounting legal troubles, Marineland appears to be collapsing under its own weight.

And the animals may be paying the ultimate price.

“There’s nothing we want more than to keep these whales alive,” said a staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But the truth is, we’re drowning. If the government doesn’t help or let them go somewhere else, we don’t know what else to do.”

The 2019 law, known as Bill S-203, made it illegal to breed or acquire new cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) for captivity in Canada.

While the legislation was hailed as a major victory for animal rights, critics warned at the time that it could create logistical nightmares for facilities already housing large marine animals.

That warning may now be coming true.

At the heart of the controversy is a deeper ethical question: What happens when a law meant to protect animals inadvertently traps them in a situation with no safe exit?

“There’s no easy answer here,” said one marine biologist. “We’re looking at 30 sentient, social, intelligent mammals facing death—not because of natural causes, but because of bureaucracy and broken promises. It’s a tragedy in slow motion.”

As the government weighs its options, animal rescue groups are calling for a temporary waiver to allow the whales to be transferred to sanctuaries or research facilities abroad.

Others are lobbying for an emergency fund to stabilize Marineland until a long-term solution can be found.

For now, the clock is ticking. And with each passing day, the threat of euthanasia grows more real.

Whether Marineland is bluffing, desperate, or truly out of options remains unclear. But one thing is certain: if nothing changes, Canada could soon be facing one of the most heartbreaking mass euthanizations of marine mammals in its history.

And the world will be watching.