位于加拿大尼亚加拉瀑布城的Marineland海洋公园的6只白鲸本周抵达美国水族馆，结束了它们在这家饱受争议设施中的长期圈养。[1]其中4只白鲸——Sierra、Acadia、Osiris和Lillooet——被转移至芝加哥谢德水族馆，另外2只白鲸Bertie Botts和Frankie前往圣安东尼奥海洋世界。[1]
这次转移标志着Marineland多年困境中的一个转折点。该公园从1960年代初期开始运营，至2024年关闭。[1]2019年以来，该公园已有20只鲸鱼死亡，包括19只白鲸和1只虎鲸。[1]同年，加拿大联邦法律禁止了海豚和鲸鱼的销售、圈养和繁殖。[1]2025年10月，Marineland曾威胁若政府不提供财政支持，将对其30只白鲸实施安乐死。[1]
Marineland目前仍有24只白鲸和2只海豚留在园内。[1]曾在Marineland工作的驯鲸师Phil Demers（2000-2012年间任职）表示："我为这些动物高兴。我只是知道争取它们改善生活条件的斗争可能会持续整个生命周期。"[1]尽管美国设施条件相对更优，但动物权益倡导者强调，需要持续监督这些动物在新环境中的福利。[1]
Six beluga whales have arrived at American aquariums this week, marking a significant development in the long-running controversy surrounding their captivity at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada. [1] Four whales—Sierra, Acadia, Osiris, and Lillooet—were transferred to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, while Bertie Botts and Frankie were relocated to SeaWorld San Antonio. [1]
The transfers come after years of criticism over conditions at Marineland, which has operated since the early 1960s until its closure in 2024. [1] Since 2019, twenty whales—nineteen belugas and one orca—have died at the facility. [1] That same year, a federal Canadian law prohibited the sale, captivity, and breeding of dolphins and whales. [1]
The situation at Marineland escalated in October 2025 when the park threatened to euthanize its remaining thirty belugas if the government did not provide financial support. [1] Twenty-four belugas and two dolphins remain at the facility. [1]
Phil Demers, who trained whales at Marineland from 2000 to 2012, expressed cautious optimism about the transfers: "I'm happy for these animals. I just know that the fight to improve their living conditions may continue throughout their lifetime." [1] Animal welfare advocates have emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring of the whales' wellbeing in their new environments, despite improved conditions at the American facilities. [1]