National animal advocates sounds alarm over treatment of deer, elk still at Marineland

A national animal law advocacy organization is sounding alarm bells over the treatment of deer and elk that remain at the shuttered Marineland complex in Niagara Falls.

The group says they’ve heard from staff at the park who describe the conditions for the animals as “dire,” but CHCH News has been told that the animals are receiving care.

Marineland in Niagara Falls closed to the public on Sept. 1, 2024, after more than 60 years in operation.

But since then, animal rights groups have been trying to find out what is happening to the hundreds of animals still there.

READ MORE: Marineland working with Canadian government to safely relocate whales

“When we were approached recently by a whistleblower who works at the facility, and we heard about the condition these deer are in, we were absolutely heartbroken,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, the Director of Legal Advocacy at Animal Justice Canada.

Animal Justice, a national law advocacy organization, released new photos of a deer from earlier this month, from someone they identify as a whistleblower.

CHCH News reached out to Marineland for comment, and received a statement that reads,

“The cervids located at Marineland are owned by, and are the responsibility of, a third party. All cervids receive constant, routine veterinary care and are subject to regulatory oversight by Animal Welfare Services (AWS) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Marineland provides the Owner with access to their cervids upon request, on the understanding that the Owner is complying with all applicable laws. We understand the deer in question was under observation and receiving veterinary care.”

READ MORE: Canadian government backs plan to relocate Marineland whales to U.S. and Spain

“But what we do know is there had been a lot of complaints and I reached out to the zoo general to talk to him about the deer and the elk, and he continued to tell me there is 250 investigations, and my issue is I don’t want speculation,” said Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates. “I want to know facts, I want to know exactly what the inspections are saying, and why won’t they release in public — what are they hiding from the public? So anything that goes on with Marineland, the public should know.”

The Niagara Falls MPP said the lack of transparency by everyone involved is frustrating.

“I drove by there yesterday and all it is, is a bunch of trees growing up on the fences,” said Gates. “You can’t even look to see what’s going on there — the only way we can do it is through the inspections. Repurpose it, let’s take care of the animals and force the solicitor general to release those inspections.”

Gates says he hopes when the whales and other animals are safely relocated, that Marineland can be turned into a tourist attraction again without animals.

READ MORE: Marineland’s bears on the move to sanctuary in Colorado