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Optimism Fading for Beluga Whales

Animal rights group director says a whale has been moved to Marineland's sick tank

An animal rights group is sitting on pins and needles as beluga whales wait for a new home after Marineland.

Animal Justice's Director of Legal Advocacy Kaitlyn Mitchell says drone footage shows another whale recently moved to the sick tank.

She adds Marineland is not willing to send them to a potential Nova Scotia home.  "Previously Marineland took the position that the sanctuary wasn't viable, or that the site was polluted... those arguments have proven false.  Scientific studies have shown the site is safe, we've seen now that they have the necessary approvals to go ahead." 

She says Marineland has done a bad PR job, but its animal trainers care about the whales.

As her optimism is challenged another whale won't die, she says the Ontario government can do something.  "We do have a provincial animal welfare statute specifically designed for situations like this, where the owners of the animals are not caring for them.  The province gets to go in, relieve their distress, provide care, and send the owner the bill.  That's the whole point of the statute."

She adds the provincial and federal governments keep pointing fingers at each other to act.
 

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