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CBC
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Still-shuttered Marineland puts its amusement park rides up for sale
Marineland, the still-shuttered Niagara Falls aquarium and theme park where 18 beluga whales have died since 2019, has put its rides up for sale. News of the rides being on the market was published Tuesday in Amusement Today, an industry publication. It comes as animal advocates continue to express concerns about living conditions for the numerous water and land mammals still at Marineland, which has not indicated plans to open this summer. "For decades, Marineland has been home to a collection of beloved rides that have brought joy to millions of guests," stated a news release posted on Amusement Today. "As the park evolves, it is now offering buyers the opportunity to own a piece of amusement park history. The sale includes a range of classic attractions, from thrill rides to family-friendly [favourites]." It states the rides will be sold to amusement operators, entertainment companies and "qualified buyers." CBC Hamilton reached out to Marineland but did not hear back before publication. Bill Ossim, of the company Rides Plus, LLC, confirmed to Radio-Canada he had been contracted by Marineland to sell its rides. 'Still animals there' Phil Demers, a former Marineland walrus trainer who has been campaigning against the facility since 2012, says it's looking less and less like the park will ever open again. CBC has previously reported that according to a local employment office, Marineland was not hiring any seasonal employees this year. The park also has a registered lobbyist to help the company obtain permits to export animals from the federal government. It also recently sold an office building. The company has not publicly confirmed whether it plans to close permanently. It told CBC earlier this month "no final decision has been made" on whether it will open this season. On Friday, its phone number listed on its website remained out of service. Demers said he wouldn't be surprised if the company tried to quietly fade away. "There might not even be an announcement," said Demers, who was sued by his former employer in 2013. The company alleged Demers trespassed and plotted to steal the 800-pound walrus he used to train, Smooshi. Demers filed a counterclaim, also in 2013, for defamation and abuse of process, he told CBC Hamilton. "It does seem a bit surreal," he said on Thursday. "Every once in a while you have to remind yourself there's still animals there." He said the remaining aquatic animals that live there include 31 beluga whales, four dolphins, two sea lions and three seals – including one named Larry. There are also numerous red deer, fallow deer, elk and bears, he said, noting he plans to keep monitoring and speaking out on behalf of the facility's animals "until that place is dust ... I'm married to that place in a weird sense." New complaint filed against park Advocacy group Animal Justice filed a complaint with Ontario's Animal Welfare Services (AWS) on June 11. It said in a news release about the complaint that it has seen drone footage, posted on Instagram, that shows about four dolphins "circling a cramped tank" next to where a stage is being demolished. "Marine mammal welfare experts who reviewed the video say the noise, vibrations, and disruption from the demolition activity would likely cause the animals' psychological suffering, adding to the harm caused by years of confinement, lack of enrichment, and inconsistent care," Animal Justice's statement. In response to the complaint, as seen by CBC Hamilton, AWS told Animal Justice it has inspected Marineland more than 220 times since January 2020. The province declared in 2021 that all marine mammals at the park were in distress due to poor water, but told The Canadian Press last year the water issue had been brought up to standard. AWS has not shared details publicly about its enforcement and no charges appear to have been laid against Marineland related to its aquatic mammals. Last year, Marineland was found guilty under Ontario's animal cruelty laws over its care of three young black bears. AWS also said in its response that it is not involved in any rumoured plans to relocate Marineland's animals, but that it continues to monitor the site. "The ministry also has experts who provide us with advice on marine mammals, their living conditions and their health and welfare," it said. "Please be assured that the government continues to look at ways to make sure that the animals at Marineland continue to receive the care they need."
Global News
19-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Marineland looking to sell amusement rides as Ontario park ‘evolves'
Marineland, one of Canada's most popular aquatic amusement parks, is looking to sell its rides. A news release published Tuesday in a U.S. trade publication indicates Rides Plus, LLC and another party are assisting Marineland with the sale of its rides, making them available for purchase by amusement operators, entertainment companies and other qualified buyers. 'For decades, Marineland has been home to a collection of beloved rides that have brought joy to millions of guests,' the release reads. 'As the park evolves, it is now offering buyers the opportunity to own a piece of amusement park history. The sale includes a range of classic attractions, from thrill rides to family-friendly favorites.' 2:10 Marineland fined in 'landmark' ruling regarding 3 black bears Marineland, which opened in 1961 in Niagara Falls, Ont., has been beleaguered as of late and has yet to announce if it will open this year. Story continues below advertisement Traditionally, the park would be open from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. Last year, Marineland announced it would open for July and August. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Earlier this year, Niagara Falls approved an application by Marineland to sever its property so it can raise money to move its animals and operate the park. A lawyer for Marineland told The Canadian Press in February that the park had not yet been sold, and money was needed for operations and to help fund a move of its remaining marine mammals, which include 31 beluga whales. Marineland was founded by John Holer, who came to Canada from Slovenia. He and his wife, Marie, operated the park for decades. Marie took over the tourist attraction in 2018 after John's death. In 2023, Marineland said it was looking for a new owner to help transition the park to a new era. The park said last year that the transition to new ownership was ongoing, but did not provide details. Property records last summer showed no change in hands, The Canadian Press reported. 2:20 Scaled down marineland opens without rides, animals Marie's death was announced last September, and the future of the park has remained in doubt since. Story continues below advertisement Over the years, millions flocked to the park to see killer whales put on big shows with bigger splashes. There were also dolphins, seals, sea lions and, eventually, beluga whales, along with a wide variety of land animals. The park attracted a lot of criticism from protesters over the years, with many concerned about the well-being of the marine mammals kept in captivity. Seventeen whales have died at Marineland since 2019, including its last killer whale and the last captive orca in Canada, Kiska, which died in 2023. Ontario's animal cruelty investigators have been investigating the park since 2020. Marineland has long defended its treatment of its animals and says the deaths are part of the natural cycle of life. — with files from The Canadian Press
