Beluga Bailout: A New Chapter for Captive Whales? The U. S. government's approval of an emergency rescue plan has sparked a mix of relief and skepticism among animal welfare advocates and marine experts.
The plan involves relocating most of the 30 belugas from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, to aquariums in the United States.
Marineland had previously sought to export its belugas to theme parks in China and elsewhere, but DFO Minister Joanne Thompson denied the request last fall, citing concerns about animal welfare.