The federal government has denied a request by Marineland to send 30 beluga whales to a theme park in China.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said in a statement Wednesday morning that the decision was made not to export the marine mammals from the Niagara Falls, Ont., amusement park to protect them from exploitation.

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” Thompson said.

If the request had been allowed, the belugas would have been sent to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park.

Thompson said she was angered that the health of the whales has deteriorated after living a life in captivity.

“As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement,” she said. “I could not in good consci

See Full Page