Twelve black bears from Marineland are heading in a pair of trailers to their new sanctuary home in the United States, over 2,000 kilometres away, as the park gradually reduces its operations.
Twelve black bears from Marineland are heading in a pair of trailers to their new sanctuary home in the United States, over 2,000 kilometres away, as the park gradually reduces its operations.
The bears are bound for the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, a charity that provides a large space where nearly 1,000 big carnivores like bears, lions and tigers live.
“We wish them safe travels and a comfortable life in their new home!” Marineland said in a statement.
Marineland staff along with six workers from the sanctuary started getting the bears ready for their move early Wednesday morning, and they completed everything before noon, according to the park.
The day went well, said Pat Craig, the executive director of the sanctuary.
“I was glad that we put a lot of time prepping into it and talking with Marineland and working on the logistics of what would happen today,” he said. “And so all that preparation helped pay off to where it’s really quick and easy on the bears.”
The bears should arrive at their new place by late Thursday morning, he mentioned.
There, these twelve bears will have 40 hectares all to themselves-an area roughly equivalent to 75 football fields.
They’ll get their own evergreen forest too, Craig noted. “It’s almost like they’re going to live back in the wild, even though these guys never did,” he added.
This arrangement has been planned for some time now but couldn’t take place while they were hibernating.
Lately last year, Julie Woodyer from Zoocheck-a Canadian animal rights organization-learned that provincial officials were trying to assist Marineland with relocating its bears.
She immediately thought about reaching out to the Wild Animal Sanctuary since she had previously helped rescue and relocate other bears there.
Woodyer connected Craig with Marineland and things seemed to go smoothly from that point onward
,she shared.
“It is a really wonderful sanctuary facility and they have the space and resources to care for that number of bears,”she remarked.
The tourist attraction located near Niagara Falls closed its doors last summer after owner Marie Holer passed away. The park’s founder John Holer died back in 2018 leaving Marineland under his wife’s care.
Now this vast property just a kilometre from Horseshoe Falls is up for sale. Sources indicate there’s an agreement concerning land sale contingent on removing animals first.
A few hundred deer still remain at Marineland while efforts continue slowly for their relocation as well.
Marineland is also collaborating with several American aquariums aiming to relocate its 30 belugas and four dolphins.
The park stated it’s running low on funds needed for animal care purposes.
Since 2019 alone-19 beluga whales along with one killer whale and one dolphin have died at Marineland’s facilities.
That same year saw federal legislation banning marine mammal captivity pass through government although it allowed existing animals at Marineland as exemptions.
It also prohibited using marine mammals within performances or breeding programs too. Last year saw Marineland apply seeking permission sending its whales over towards Chimelong Ocean Kingdom located within China which bought all prior belugas present at this location. However Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson rejected granting this request stressing concerns regarding potential performance conditions impacting whale welfare during transit processes leading her office denying such requests due diligence actions taken into account thereafter ongoing discussions focusing ensuring animal safety throughout transitions occurring presently!
Months later negotiations continue regarding funding options available alongside addressing potential outcomes surrounding mass euthanasia possibilities if necessary remaining open-ended pending future decisions made accordingly based upon current situation developments tracked regularly!.
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That same year saw federal legislation banning marine mammal captivity pass through government although it allowed existing animals at Marineland as exemptions.
It also prohibited using marine mammals within performances or breeding programs too. Last year saw Marineland apply seeking permission sending its whales over towards Chimelong Ocean Kingdom located within China which bought all prior belugas present at this location. However Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson rejected granting this request stressing concerns regarding potential performance conditions impacting whale welfare during transit processes leading her office denying such requests due diligence actions taken into account thereafter ongoing discussions focusing ensuring animal safety throughout transitions occurring presently!
Months later negotiations continue regarding funding options available alongside addressing potential outcomes surrounding mass euthanasia possibilities if necessary remaining open-ended pending future decisions made accordingly based upon current situation developments tracked regularly!.
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