When Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed in September 2024, it had no regular income to support the care of the 30 belugas and four dolphins housed there. To ensure their welfare, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums led an international effort to relocate the animals to the United States and Spain.
After the move, however, one resident beluga and three transplanted belugas died at a U.S. facility, while one beluga died at a Spanish facility. Proponents of whale sanctuaries called for the Canadian belugas to be placed in netted ocean pens, arguing that these environments better suit them.
